Japan Extends Emergency Due to Coronavirus Until May 31

Japan extends the state of emergency declared due to the coronavirus until 31 May. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said this on Monday with the caveat that emergency measures can be withdrawn sooner if it is thought possible across the country or locally.

The new coronavirus from China first appeared in Japan on January 16.

Since then, approximately 15,000 infections have been diagnosed and nearly 490 patients have died. About 4000 patients have now been cured.

The country has 126.5 million inhabitants.

Japan began banning foreigners in February for fear of the virus, and schools were closed at the end of that month.

A series of restrictive measures have been put in place to curb the spread of the virus. At the end of March, it was decided to postpone the Tokyo Olympics until next year.