Asian countries are introducing new coronavirus measures meant to curb the spread of coronavirus, in an effort to curb a second wave of the pandemic in the region.
This comes amidst a global struggle with the virus which has resulted in over 1.8 million fatalities and 86 million confirmed cases globally. Europe and North America have struggled to control the virus, with the US and Mexico recording over 5,000 fatalities on Thursday.
Most Asian countries, however, had managed to suppress the spread of the virus in the region during the onset of the pandemic. However, recent numbers from these countries paint a grim picture of a pandemic that is spreading fast in the region.
The spread of the pandemic in Asian countries
Japan has already indicated that it will be implementing restrictions to curb the spread of the virus in the country. This comes after the country recorded the highest number of coronavirus cases since the pandemic began on Thursday, a total of 2,400 which broke the record set on Wednesday, which was 1,591.
Tokyo’s minister in charge of the pandemic response expressed fears about the country’s situation and indicated that hospitals were now stretched thin.
To curb the spread of the virus in Japan, the government has indicated that alcohol sales should stop at 7 pm and bars and restaurants should close an hour later. Residents were also told to limit their movement past 8 PM to help curb the spread of the virus.
Although measures implemented in Japan were not as harsh as those from Europe, where countries were implementing full lockdowns, it highlights the willingness of Japan government to fight the spread of coronavirus in the country.
China also recorded a record 63 new infections on Thursday, which was a record daily tally since July. The cases were concentrated near Beijing in a city of 11 million people and the Chinese government has indicated that it will be limiting movement in the region, closing schools, and doing mass testing to curb the spread of the virus.
Globally, countries have started preparing for another wave of the pandemic, with the UK going into a full lockdown to help curb the spread of the virus. Ireland also followed suit with a full lockdown. The EU has also taken an active role in curbing the spread of the virus by distributing more than 1 million vaccines in the region.
