The state of emergency across Japan has been extended for a second consecutive week as the Tokyo Paralympics began.
A further eight districts were placed under restrictions as the country attempts to contain the highly transmissible Delta variant.
The rising pressure to control increasing infection rates comes just as Japan are welcoming the Paralympic Games, which has seen thousands of athletes and coaches flock to different arenas and sites around Tokyo.
With mounting criticism of Japan’s handling of the coronavirus, the state of emergency was extended until September 12 by authorities last week, with 13 districts now under Covid-19 induced restrictions - including Tokyo.
While four new districts have been added to the ‘quasi emergency’ list, Hiroshima and Hokkaido are among the eight regions to have moved from ‘quasi-emergency’ to full emergency status.
Since Japan imposed emergency on July 12, 33 of Japan’s 47 prefectures are now under some level of emergency measures, according to the Associated Press.
Japanese prime minister Yoshihide Suga admitted the country’s healthcare system could get overwhelmed, which was why the state of emergency was extended and expanded.
“In order to protect the people’s lives, the priority is to maintain the health care system,” said Mr Suga. He called on the population to remain united in order to overcome the pandemic, which is experiencing record-high numbers of daily cases in Japan.
Similar to lockdown, the Japanese state of emergency requires restaurants to close by 8pm while following Covid-19 protocols such as mask, remote working and social distancing.
However, these measures are largely not adhered to, causing Covid-19 infections to surge by at least 10 times since last month. According to AP, there have been 25,000 cases reported across the country in the last month, with 5,000 in Tokyo.
Hospitals in Tokyo are reportedly under intense pressure, with citizens asked to recover at home and self-isolate in order to avoid straining the healthcare system.
One coronavirus case was identified in the Paralympics village last week, with The Guardian reporting two more infections on Wednesday. Despite this, Games organisers are denying any connection between the surge and the Paralympic Games.
The situation appears bleak after the Olympics, which led to plenty of local outrage amid a rise in Covid cases, and Paralympic officials have admitted the quadrennial event will be held under difficult circumstances. The Games are relying on the same Covid-19 protocols used during the Olympics.
The Paralympics Games will run for just under two weeks - finishing on September 5.
