Japan declares state of emergency, ramps up virus battle

Shinzo Abe clarified that there would be no European-style lockdowns. The state of emergency will only permit Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and heads of six other designated prefectures to do more to reinforce calls for social distancing.

Tokyo: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared a month-long state of emergency on Tuesday for Tokyo and six other prefecturesto ramp up defences against the spread of the coronavirus.

Abe said that there would be no European-style lockdowns. The state of emergency will only permit Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and heads of six other designated prefectures to do more to reinforce calls for social distancing. Virtually all of those measures will be requests that cannot be enforced with penalties for violations.

The COVID-19 outbreak is now rampant and rapidly spreading, threatening people's health, their daily lives and the economy. Abe said that he planned to keep the state of emergency in place for a month until May 6.

AP