US, WASHINGTON (ORDO NEWS) — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe intends to declare an emergency in connection with an outbreak of coronavirus, Kyodo agency reported citing a government official.
It is expected that Abe will announce this on Tuesday, the emergency mode will enter into force on Wednesday.
Abe will have to clarify in what territory and for how long an emergency regime is being introduced. According to a government official, the emergency regime is likely to operate in large cities such as Tokyo and Osaka.
TV station TBS reported that the government is considering a period of six months, each of the affected prefectures emergency mode will determine the duration of their individual actions.
An emergency declaration, the first of its kind in Japan, would restrict individual rights. This step will allow the governors of the prefectures to instruct the population to stay home and demand the closure of schools and other facilities.
Even if an emergency is declared, total quarantine cannot be imposed in accordance with Japanese law. People will not be punished if they do not obey the rules, and business activity cannot be prohibited.
Abe cannot declare an emergency on his own. He will need to contact an advisory group of experts in the field of medicine and public health to determine whether such a step is required. Before officially declaring an emergency, the government is obliged to inform parliament of its intention.
As of Sunday, the number of COVID-19 infections in Japan was 4,563, including about 700 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship. 104 people died from coronavirus.
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