Japan: The Japanese government is considering extending its COVID-19 state of emergency in Tokyo and 18 other prefectures until the end of this month, beyond the currently scheduled expiration on Sunday, sources familiar with the matter said Wednesday.

The state of emergency is currently in place in 21 of Japan's 47 prefectures. It will be lifted in Miyagi and Okayama, where less strict quasi-emergency measures will be implemented.Prefectures of Miyagi and Okayama will be altered from state of emergency to quasi-state of emergency, according to reports.

The adminstration found that medical systems are still overwhelmed in the 19 prefectures. It will make a final decision on Thursday after hearing opinions from experts.Meanwhile, measures are decided to be dissolved in six of 12 prefectures under quasi-state of emergency currently, which are prefectures of Toyama, Yamanashi, Ehime, Kochi, Saga, Nagasaki, while in six other prefectures restrictions will remain in effect through September 30.

In the newest edition of the anti-virus measures, 19 prefectures including Tokyo and western Osaka will be under a state of emergency, as eight prefectures will be under quasi-state of emergency. Under the state of emergency, Hotels and bars serving alcohol or offering karaoke services are asked to shut during the period while the government will provide money for compensation.

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