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Japan expected to extend state of emergency
Japan’s state of emergency may have to be extended again, government officials say.
Tokyo and 10 prefectures are under a state of emergency restriction until 7 February and it will likely need to be extended as the decline in infection rates is sluggish.
According to local media it could remain in place until the end of February.
Infections in Tokyo have been gradually falling but health experts say the decline is slow and the rate of infections in the elderly is actually rising.
Under state of emergency rules, people are asked not to make unnecessary trips outside the home, and restaurants must close by 8pm.
Yasutoshi Nishimura, the minister in charge of the Covid-19 response committee said it will not leave it to the last minute to announce an extension if and when a decision is made.
The state of emergency covers Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Tochigi, Aichi, Gifu, Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo and Fukuoka.
The Tokyo Olympics is still in doubt for this summer but the IOC has suggested all athletes and officials get vaccinated before they arrive if it does go ahead.
The IOC says it remains ‘committed’ to holding the Tokyo Games this year.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
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TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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