Japanese government approves bill on coronavirus-related state of emergency

Japanese government approves bill on coronavirus-related state of emergency
# 10 March 2020 14:57 (UTC +04:00)

The Japanese cabinet on Tuesday approved draft legislation on the possibility to declare a state of emergency should the spread of coronavirus in the country worsen, APA reports citing Japanese NHK broadcaster.

According to the broadcaster, the bill introduces amendments to the 2012 legislation on infectious diseases by expanding the Japanese prime minister's power to declare a state of emergency if the novel coronavirus gets to seriously impact the economy and people's lives.

The state of emergency might reportedly include such measures as cancelling schools, mandating self-quarantine, banning mass public gatherings, as well as setting up emergency medical facilities, including in premises without their owners' content.

Speaking about the government's response to coronavirus, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said that there was no immediate need to declare an emergency at the moment.

The bill will now be scrutinized at the parliament and, if approved, come into effect on March 13 for the next two years.

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THE OPERATION IS BEING PERFORMED