Image: Reuters Berita 24 English - Although there is no plan for any comprehensive national steps, Japan is pressing regional authorities t...
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| Image: Reuters |
Berita 24 English - Although there is no plan for any comprehensive national steps, Japan is pressing regional authorities to take their own countermeasures against the spread of a new coronavirus type that has caused cases to soar to record levels.
As the BA.5 variation of COVID-19 expands, placing pressure on medical facilities and disrupting business operations in some regions, a seventh wave of the virus increased the number of new cases reported each day in Japan to a record 233,094 on Thursday.
Japan has never implemented nationwide lockdowns on the same extent as some other nations, instead urging people to spend as much time as possible at home and limiting the hours when restaurants and bars are open.
Seiji Kihara, the deputy chief cabinet secretary, reaffirmed this on Friday, stating that regional authorities should customise their reaction to their unique circumstances.
At a routine news conference, Kihara stated, "Instead of a national response, we aim to help regional authorities in their efforts that are based on their local situations."
Helping each prefecture's social and economic activity is crucial.
Elderly folks were recently warned to refrain from unnecessary outings by the western city of Osaka.
Yuriko Koike, the governor of Tokyo, urged citizens to test frequently, including at free clinics set up at municipal train stations, and to maintain safeguards like masks, but the city was not yet enforcing any limits.
She said at a routine news conference, "We've learnt a lot from our experiences over the previous few years.
With 32,308 deaths since the pandemic started in early 2020, the 125.8 million-person nation has fared better than some in managing it.
However, the World Health Organization reported this week that in the week leading up to July 24, Japan had the greatest number of new coronavirus cases worldwide.
Even while there haven't been as many fatalities as in earlier waves, some industries are starting to feel the effects of new illnesses.
Due to COVID, Toyota Motor Corp. last week discontinued night shift operations at one production line of its Takaoka factory in central Japan. Train operators in some places have had to reduce services due to a lack of workers.
