Japan extends COVID quasi-emergency in 17 prefs., ends it in 5 others

Japan on Friday extended COVID-19 quasi-state of emergency measures until March 6 in 17 prefectures, including Osaka, Kyoto and Fukuoka, to curb coronavirus infections and will end them Sunday in five other prefectures.The extension means that 31 of Japan's 47 prefectures, including Tokyo, will remain under a quasi-state of emergency into March. The measures allow the prefectures' governors to request that restaurants and bars close early and stop serving alcohol.Shigeru Omi, the government's top COVID adviser, told a press conference, after a government panel approved the extensions earlie…READ FULL ARTICLE