TOKYO – The Japanese government placed Okinawa under a novel coronavirus state of emergency to combat surging COVID-19 cases in the southern island prefecture.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Friday that the decision was made following the increase in the number of infections, especially among the younger generation, leading to high hospital bed occupancy rate.
Okinawa, which reported 231 new cases on May 22, will be under the stricter measures from Sunday until June 20. Its addition will bring the number of prefectures under similar restrictions to 10. - Florenda Corpuz
(File photo: Tsuboya Pottery District in Naha)
