Japan has officially extended its state of emergency nationwide.
The original month-long state of emergency covering seven regions is now expanded to all prefectures, following criticism of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s response to the pandemic.
Polls have shown people thought the PM left it too long before imposing the original state of emergency, and healthcare associations said they are ‘already sensing the collapse of the emergency medical system’ due to a spike in Covid-19 cases around Tokyo.
The state of emergency will be in effect until May 6.
All residents have been asked to stay at home although there are no penalties for people who do not comply.
Public transport is still operating.
The government is asking as many companies as possible to revert to home-working as about 60% of workers still employed are still commuting every day.
