The metropolitan government had earlier asked restaurants and other businesses across Tokyo to close by 10 p.m. until the end of this month. The new request is only for establishments in the 23 wards, amid the spread of the novel coronavirus.

While the number of people infected in Tokyo is on a downward trend, the number of seriously ill people has continued to exceed 30, prompting the metropolitan government to decide on the extension.

The metropolitan government’s requests are based on the revised law on special measures to fight against new strains of influenza. The original request is for restaurants and karaoke bars that serve alcohol in Tokyo to close by 10 p.m. between Aug. 3 and 31. No fine is imposed on establishments that do not comply with the request, but the metropolitan government pays ¥200,000 in cooperation fees to those that do.

During the extended period, the metropolitan government plans to pay an additional ¥150,000 to establishments in the 23 wards that comply with the new request.

Requests to close earlier to apply to restaurants, bars in Tokyo wards through Sept. 15

Restaurants and other businesses in Tokyo’s 23 wards will continue to be asked to shorten business hours through Sept. 15 by the Tokyo metropolitan government, Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike said Thursday.