Japan is considering extending the COVID-19 state of emergency covering Tokyo and 20 of the nation’s 47 prefectures by another two weeks, as it looks increasingly unlikely that the current situation will warrant the lifting of the measure on its planned Sept. 12 expiration, government sources said Wednesday.
While new infections have been decreasing in some areas, the country is still struggling to contain surging coronavirus infections and the strain they impose on the medical system in many others. The government’s COVID-19 task force will meet next week to make an official decision, the sources said.
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