Tokyo confirmed 16 more coronavirus infections Wednesday in a first drop under 20 since June 10, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government said.
Wednesday's figure, which brings the total cases in Tokyo to 5,633 after minor revisions announced the same day, comes as the capital tries to get its battered economy back on track by easing business restrictions further.
The last time daily new infection cases fell under 20 was June 10, when 18 cases were reported. But the number has never dropped under 10 this month.
The metropolitan government is asking people working at host clubs and similar nightlife establishments to regularly take virus tests as part of new measures to stem the spread of the virus in adult entertainment districts in the capital, most notably the Kabukicho area in Shinjuku Ward.
The metropolitan government plans to completely lift its business closure requests on Friday.