Japan adds Okinawa under COVID-19 state of emergency

TOKYO, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese government said Friday that Okinawa has been added to areas under a COVID-19 state of emergency, effective from Sunday to June 20, as infections in the southern island prefecture surge.

Pedestrians wearing face masks walk in Tokyo, Japan, April 12, 2021. (Photo: Xinhua)

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga formalized the decision at a task force meeting after a panel of experts approved the measure.

Okinawa's addition will bring the number of prefectures under the state of emergency to 10.

Yasutoshi Nishimura, minister in charge of the COVID-19 response, called for tough restrictions including banning restaurants from serving alcohol, while asking tourists not to visit Okinawa during this period.