Coronavirus: Japan eases into ‘soft lockdown’ amid concerns Abe has not done enough
- Almost 60 million residents in major urban hubs under a state of emergency have been urged to only leave their homes if it is essential
- But the prime minister has been criticised for seeming to prioritise Japan’s economy over the health of its people
Those living in the capital and five other prefectures, including Osaka, that are under a state of emergency have been urged by the government to only leave their homes if it is essential, and give businesses that have stayed open – such as gyms and cinemas – a miss.
Supermarkets and convenience stories will remain open and there is no ban on domestic travel or public transport, though crowd volumes in train stations have decreased in recent days with people heeding officials’ calls to work from home and avoid the rush hour commute.
But with the onset of fair weather and reports of Tokyo residents decamping to areas not covered by the regulations, other prefectures have also placed their residents on high alert. At least three other prefectures – Kyoto, Gifu and Aichi, which is home to car giant Toyota – have asked to also be included in the state of emergency, which gives governors more leeway to implement measures to stem the outbreak.
Kyoto has also urged tourists to stay away from the city’s famous palaces, temples and gardens. “I call on all people who love Kyoto and tourists from all over the world – until this situation is ended, to protect yourself and your families, please refrain from visiting Kyoto,” Mayor Daisaku Kadokawa told a news conference.