The government plans to extend the period of quasi-emergency priority measures in the prefectures of Tokyo, Kanagawa, Aichi, Kyoto, Osaka and Hyogo for about another two weeks, according to sources.

The government decided Thursday to extend quasi-emergency priority measures until March 21 in 18 of the 31 prefectures where pandemic-related restrictions are currently in place.

Another six people have died with COVID-19 in Queensland as the state records 6479 new cases.