Tokyo, April 10 (TIWN) Bars and restaurants in Tokyo were on Friday ordered to shut down by 8 p.m. daily as part of the Japanese governments strict measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike told reporters that the new restrictions would come into effect Saturday onwards and follow the state of emergency declared earlier this week by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, reports Efe news.  Koike announced that alcohol could be served in bars and restaurants only till 7 p.m. and they would have to close down an hour later.  She said restaurants and bars could open for business from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

These measures are a part of initiatives taken up to control the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the Japanese capital.  Koike reiterated Prime Minister Abe''s call for reducing social contacts between people.  Tokyo, a city of 14 million inhabitants, recorded 181 new cases of novel coronavirus cases, taking the total to 1,519.  Koike had been pushing the Abe government to approve a state of health emergency in the country. 

The government approved the measure for the capital and other six prefectures worst affected by the disease.  According to the latest official data, the COVID-19 has affected 5,300 and killed 121.  In the press conference, Koike said that shops in Tokyo selling essential items would remain open as usual.  She said there was no need to stock food and medical supplies and reiterated that people should remain home and come out only if it is necessary and maintain a safe distance in public places.  Schools and universities along with sports centres, theatres, museums, gyms and businesses not selling essential items were also ordered to remain closed to avoid people from gathering.  The health emergency will continue until May 6.