Japan prepares to extend COVID-19 restrictions as infections rise – Henry Club

Tokyo: Japan’s government is preparing to impose social restrictions in Tokyo and other regions as the Omicron version of the coronavirus infects more people.
Japan never went into lockdown during the pandemic, instead focusing on asking restaurants and bars to close early. Crowds are back in many parts of Japan, with people packing up stores and events while COVID-19 cases continue to rise.
A government spokesman said on Tuesday that the order would be finalized this week and is likely to take effect on Friday for Tokyo and nine other regions, including Chiba, Kanagawa, Aichi and Kumamoto.
Earlier this month an order was issued for Okinawa, Yamaguchi and Hiroshima prefectures. Other areas seeing increased infection, such as Osaka, may be added later.
“Infections are increasing at an unprecedented pace,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters.
He said there was growing concern that the infection could spread so rapidly that the hospital system could be thin.
He acknowledged that if the number of people in quarantine or hospitalization increases, additional action may be needed.
About 80 percent of the Japanese population has received two vaccines, but only 1 percent have boosters. The government has promised to speed up boosters, but most people are not getting boosters under the current program until March or later.
The third dose is specifically recommended against Omicron, which has been causing more successful infections than the early forms of the virus.
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party is keen to avoid public discontent over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which is widely seen as a backlash behind the removal of the previous prime minister. Parliamentary elections are to be held across the country in a few months.
Bars and eateries that comply with government restrictions are eligible for assistance. But some say it is not enough.
On Monday, more than 20,000 new cases were reported across the country, indicating that cases are increasing rapidly due to Omicron. Most experts believe the number of cases is low because testing is not widespread. Some 134,000 people are now in quarantine or hospitalized for COVID-19.
Around 18,400 people have died of COVID-19. The most recently reported daily cases in Japan are coming in record numbers in August and September of last year.