Q. WHAT MEASURES ARE TAKEN IN A STATE
OF EMERGENCY?
A. The state of emergency allows prefectural
leaders to ask residents to stay home. They
can also request closures of schools, some
child and senior care or community centers,
and stores and businesses that are considered
nonessential. They can advise organizers to
cancel or postpone events. The governors can
also request use of private property to build
hospitals and other medical facilities.
Q. WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES?
A. Essential activities and facilities, including
banks, grocery stores, postal services,
pharmacies and utility companies, remain
open. Some retail stores and entertainment
venues such as movie theaters, concert halls and
amusement parks can be asked to shut down.
Public schools in Tokyo and some neighboring
prefectures already are closed until at least
early May.
Q. CAN PEOPLE STILL GO OUT?
A. Yes, residents can go out for purposes
considered essential, including work, hospital
visits and grocery shopping, according to
a Cabinet Office statement. Residents in
designated areas can still go out for a walk, a jog
or other individual exercise.
Q. HOW EFFECTIVE IS THE MEASURE?
A. Abe on Wednesday repeated his request for
the people to stay home and reduce interactions
with others by up to 80%. But in Tokyo’s
downtown Shibuya district, business was almost
normal. Rush hour trains were still crowded and
commuters were heading to work, though fewer