Japan PM Extends Lockdown, Says Pandemic Must End In May
The Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, has extended the national lockdown to May 31.
He had earlier directed a team of experts to extend the restriction by one month from May 6, using the current framework of the state of emergency.
Advertisement
Making the disclosure on Monday at a press briefing, the Prime Minister said that the extension was needed to effectively curb the spread of the Coronavirus.
The country has recorded about 14,877 covid-19 cases, with 487 deaths and 3981 recoveries, according to latest Worldometer figures.
“May will be a month where we need to end this pandemic. It will also be a month where we will prepare for the next stage,” Abe said.
Abe also promised to further assist businesses and households with an economic stimulus.
Advertisement
Reuters reports that the government is spending $1.1 trillion, equivalent to a fifth of GDP, on stimulus measures to help companies and people hurt by the pandemic and lockdown measures.
