Japan declares COVID-19 state of emergency

TOKYO: Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Friday declared a state of emergency over COVID-19 in the national capital Tokyo and the western prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo.

The state of emergency, a third of its kind so far declared in the country, will come into effect from Sunday to May 11, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The emergency is aimed at curbing a surge in COVID-19 cases during the upcoming Golden Week holidays. "We must take strong measures in a focused manner while many people are on holiday during the Golden Week to bring the virus under control," Suga said. (IANS)

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