Japan to expand COVID-19 state of emergency to 3 more prefectures

The Japanese government decided Friday to expand a COVID-19 state of emergency covering Tokyo and other areas to three more prefectures, a surprise move that comes as infections continue to surge ahead of the capital's hosting of the Summer Olympics.Hokkaido, Okayama and Hiroshima will be under tougher restrictions, including a ban on restaurants serving alcohol, from Sunday to May 31, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said at a task force meeting.The government had initially looked to put Okayama and Hiroshima under a quasi-emergency while keeping the one in place in Hokkaido but changed cours…READ FULL ARTICLE