The Japanese government has decided the “state of emergency” for curbing surging Covid-19 cases will continue through September 12 rather than ending at the end of this month as initially planned.

With the pandemic continuing to spread in the country, the emergency for Tokyo, Osaka, Okinawa, and three other regions which started in July will be prolonged and expanded.

“The surge in infections is reaching alarming record highs," Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told reporters after meeting with other ministers about the move.

The decision will become official on Tuesday, Suga said, adding that beefing up hospital care was “a priority”, and people waiting at home to get hospitalised were getting checkups by phone.

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