Abe to declare state of emergency as early as Tuesday
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe intends to declare a state of emergency due to the surge in infections from the new coronavirus, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.
The government has started preparing the emergency declaration based on the revised law on special measures to deal with new strains of influenza, considering subject regions as metropolitan areas including Tokyo.
Abe will announce his intention to issue the declaration as early as Monday. It will be the first time this kind of declaration has been issued.
Under the law, it is not possible to impose shut down orders on public transportation or to close roads. In addition, going to work at offices cannot be banned. Thus, it does not grant the enforcement powers for the types of lockdowns seen in some countries.
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike has already expressed measures for the metropolis after the declaration. She will urge people to refrain from going out for unnecessary or nonurgent reasons while maintaining necessary services for society, such as public transportation and the operation of grocery stores. Corporate activities are expected to continue in principle.
On Monday, the prime minister will convene an expert panel and ask them whether the situations meet the requirements of an emergency. After the meeting, the government plans to convene its task force to express its intention to start preparations for declaring a state of emergency. A declaration is expected to be issued on Tuesday or Wednesday. In addition to the Tokyo metropolitan area, Osaka and Hyogo prefectures are among the candidates for inclusion in the order.