Japan started to live under the new restrictions caused by the state of emergency. On Friday, the first day of it, the daily life has started with much of life as usual, including morning shuttle trains, AP reports.
Japan’s prime minister Yoshihide Suga supports the state of emergency (SoE) as a measure to curb COVID-19 infection. The SoE runs through Feb. 7 so far.
PM Suga asked restaurants and bars close by 8 PM while drinks won’t be served after 7 PM. The rules apply to Tokyo and the vicinities like Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa.
“We take this very seriously. By all means, I would like to overcome this difficult situation with the cooperation of the people,” Suga said during the briefing on Friday morning.
Commenting on the situation, Suga added that the infection is the highest ever in every region of the nation. Nationwide, confirmed corona cases have reached some 260,000, with more than 7,500 new cases reported Friday.
Japan: penalties for those who neglect emergency rules
In conformist Japan, some firm has been resistant to working remotely and the SoE may help workers assert their wishes to stay home. PM Suga has promised penalties to add more force to the requests. They will be studied in parliament later this month.
Despite the SoE, much of life will stay the same in Japan. Schools, sports events, stores and movie theatres remain open, but with social distancing and mask-wearing measures. Crowds are expected to thin at night.
From today, Japan basically in a battle for one month. But people don’t think the spread will stop, indeed.
