TOKYO (AP) – Japan is set to step up anti-virus measures in Tokyo on Friday to stop the rapid spread of a more contagious coronavirus variant just three months before the start of the Olympics in the capital, where most people are not yet vaccinated.
Experts from a government group have given preliminary approval to emergency measures that would include binding orders in Tokyo, Kyoto in western Japan and the southern prefecture of Okinawa. The measures, which are expected to be announced later on Friday by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, will begin on Monday and last until early May.
The move comes less than three weeks after Tokyo emerged from the state of emergency, which included non-binding requests for business owners for shorter hours and for residents to pay attention to basic preventive measures.
The rise of the Tokyo virus underscores the difficulty of balancing antivirus measures and the economy.
Suga’s government has been criticized for acting too slowly on anti-virus measures out of reluctance to harm the already pandemic-affected economy. The new measures allow prefectural leaders to target certain cities and issue binding orders, which Suga says are aimed at preventing another state of emergency.
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said she was alarmed by the recent rise in virus cases and the possible impact of new variants. On Thursday, Koike urged residents to avoid non-essential travel, social distancing and other basic measures. It is also expected to issue a closing order from 20:00 for bars and restaurants.
The additional steps would come a few days after the government designated Osaka for the new mandatory antivirus measures due to a recurrence accused of spreading the variant. Osaka has declared a medical emergency after its hospitals were overwhelmed by new cases and took the Olympic relay off the public road next week.
Given Japan’s attempt to vaccinate at an early stage – just over 1 million, or less than 1% of its population received the first of two blows – the increase could lead to further redirection or cancellation of Olympic-related events .
Inoculations began in mid-February with medical workers, and the elderly are scheduled to shoot from next week until the end of June. The rest of the population will probably have to wait until around July, making it almost impossible for Japan to achieve the so-called immunity of the herd before the Tokyo Olympics begin on July 23.