Tokyo's neighboring prefectures of Chiba, Saitama to put more cities under COVID-19 priority measures
The Chiba prefectural government on Friday decided to add the cities of Kamagaya and Yachiyo to the list of those under emergency-level priority measures starting from Monday. The Saitama prefectural government also decided at a Friday morning meeting to expand the areas under the priority measures, which currently cover the cities of Saitama and Kawaguchi, with details to be decided later in the day.
The measures aim to reduce the spread of novel coronavirus infections.
As Tokyo, which neighbors the two prefectures, is experiencing another spike in new virus cases, the two prefectures have concluded it is necessary to strengthen measures to prevent the further spread of infections ahead of the Tokyo Games and the arrival of the summer holiday season at many companies and universities.
In Chiba Prefecture, 253 people, the highest number in July, were confirmed to have been newly infected Thursday. At a task force meeting held on the same day, the Chiba prefectural government decided to include in the list of cities under the priority measures two more cities where many workers and students commute to and from Tokyo. Kamagaya and Yachiyo will join the nine cities already on the list: Chiba, Ichikawa, Funabashi, Matsudo, Narashino, Ichihara, Urayasu, Narita and Kashiwa.
Saitama Prefecture on Thursday logged 328 new virus cases, exceeding 300 for the first time since Jan. 30. In response, the Saitama prefectural government will expand the areas covered by the priority measures in the southern and eastern parts of the prefecture where many residents commute to and from Tokyo. It is also considering tightening restrictions on the supply of alcohol to restaurants and other establishments, which is allowed under certain conditions. The details were to be decided at Friday's task force meeting based on opinions from experts.
Meanwhile, the Kanagawa prefectural government is considering asking the central government to declare a state of emergency for the prefecture, which is Tokyo's southern neighbor.
Chiba Gov. Toshihito Kumagai said: "The situation is almost the same in the three prefectures [in the Tokyo metropolitan area]. We will hold talks with the central government while sharing our thoughts with each other."
Regarding the infection situation in Chiba Prefecture, Kumagai said, "There is a greater regional difference [within Chiba Prefecture] compared to those two prefectures [Saitama and Kanagawa]." He thus conveyed his intention to be flexible in considering asking the central government to issue a state of emergency for the prefecture.
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