Earlier this month, Japan’s state of emergency was extended until the end of September due to a rapid rise in Covid-19 infections brought on largely by the highly contagious delta variant. The emergency, which covers 19 prefectures across Japan including Tokyo, will now expire this Thursday September 30.
As reported by Kyodo News, the central government will now lift the state of emergency in all 19 prefectures. The emergency could be lifted entirely, rather than just being downgraded to a quasi-emergency status.
According to The Japan Times, Japan’s health minister Norihisa Tamura earlier said that the government should now be able to lift the state of emergency as scheduled since there has been a substantial decline in new infections. However, with the winter season just around the corner, Tamura also asked that people continue avoiding activities that could increase their risk of infection.
This report was first published on September 27 at 1pm and updated at 7.30pm. More updates to come.
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