Japan issues third COVID-19 emergency alert as Nigeria readies for Tokyo 2021 Games
The Japanese Government has declared a third state of emergency for Tokyo, the host city of the 2021 Olympics which is rescheduled to hold from July 23 to August 8 this year, and three western prefectures to curb a surg in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The announcement comes amid skepticism whether it will be enough to curb a rapid coronavirus resurgence ahead of the Olympics games. Nigeria is one of the countries expected to send athletes and official to the games.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced the emergency for Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo from April 25 through May 11, AP News reported.
Japan’s third state of emergency since the pandemic began comes only a month after an earlier, toothless emergency ended in the Tokyo area.
This time, after a law stipulating virus measures was toughened in February, authorities can issue binding orders for businesses to shorten their hours or close, with compensation for those who comply and penalties for violators.
Japan, which has about half a million COVID-19 cases and 10,000 deaths, has not enforced lockdowns.
Health and economy ministers in charge of the virus measures were meeting with experts on a government taskforce to obtain their preliminary endorsement for the plan.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare, has met with his counterpart in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Goeffrey Onyema, to facilitate and fast track the visa acquisation process for the nation’s contingent to the forthcoming Olympics.
As one of the countries expected to present contingents to the Games, the Ministry of Sports will be interested about developments in japan ahead of the global sports fiesta.
Follow us on social media
