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Coronavirus: Suga declares emergency in Tokyo; Malaysia sees record jump in cases
- The month-long measure covers the capital and the prefectures of Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba
- Malaysia’s daily Covid-19 infections topped 3,000 for the first time on Thursday
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Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declared a state of emergency on Thursday for Tokyo and adjacent areas, trying to stem Covid-19 infections that hit a daily record in the capital.
The declaration covers the capital and the surrounding prefectures of Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba, Suga said. It will be imposed from Friday until February 7.
“The nationwide, rapid spread of the new coronavirus is feared to have a great impact on people’s lives and the economy. Based on that, we are issuing a state of emergency,” Suga said.
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Japan’s daily Covid-19 infections topped 7,000 for the first time on Thursday, while Tokyo announced it had found record 2,447 cases.
Japan’s emergency doesn’t imply the kind of lockdowns seen in some parts of Europe, and the government is seeking far less stringent measures than under its previous emergency last year, which triggered the worst economic contraction on record.
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Residents will be asked to avoid going out only after 8pm and bars and restaurants will be instructed to close at that time. Gyms, department stores and entertainment facilities will also be subject to the shorter hours. Suga said the government will provide up to 1.8 million yen (US$17,400) per month to each eatery that complies with a request to shorten operating hours, and “name and shame” those that do not.
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