TOKYO, Oct 23 (NNN-NHK) – The Japanese capital, Tokyo, confirmed 26 daily COVID-19 cases yesterday, the lowest since June, 2020, with the ongoing downward trend in infections.
The figure, released by the Tokyo metropolitan government, marked the fewest since June 17, 2020, when 16 new infections were reported in the capital.
The number of daily new infections has been dwindling since logging a record of 5,773 cases on Aug 13, with vaccinations progressing across the country.
The seven-day rolling average of new daily cases in Tokyo stood at 39.1, down 40.4 percent, compared to the previous week, according to the metropolitan government.
In light of the slowing trend of the virus, Tokyo, along with Osaka, decided on Thursday, to lift restrictions on restaurants and bars starting from next week, the first removal of measures in 11 months.
The two governments will lift the COVID-19 measures on Monday, when restrictions on eateries serving alcohol or operating hours will no longer be in place, though there are concerns about a potential sixth wave of infections in winter.
The metropolitan government of Tokyo plans to continue limiting the number of people who can sit at the same table to four. However, five or more people will be allowed to eat together, if they present proof of COVID-19 vaccinations.
The prefectural government of Osaka will also continue to limit the number of people eating together in restaurants to four, until the end of Nov. It also called on the public to refrain from dining for more than two hours.– NNN-NHK
