MNI BRIEF: Japan To Extend, Expand Covid-19 State Of Emergency

Japan is expected on Tuesday to extend and expand state of emergency measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 to Sept. 12 from the end of August, adding seven more prefectures as the Delta variant gains traction, local newspapers reported.

A decision to extend the emergency will be made following a meeting of an expert advisory committee on Tuesday, according to reports.

The measures will weigh on prospects for economic recovery in or after the third quarter. The seven prefectures to be put under the tighter measures from Aug. 20 are Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Shizuoka, Kyoto, Hyogo and Fukuoka, taking the total to 13 and including Tokyo.

The government has called for the public to avoid going out, traveling or visiting family during the summer holidays, but that has not stopped the rise in Covid-19 cases with vaccination rates lagging as well. As the highly contagious Delta variant becomes widespread, infection clusters are being found in department stores and commercial complexes as well as restaurants.