Tokyo Raises Coronavirus Warning System to Highest Level
2020-07-16
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1The city of Tokyo raised its coronavirus alert to the highest level on Wednesday.
2City officials acted after record-setting numbers of new infections were reported in the Japanese capital.
3Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike described the situation in the city as "rather severe."
4The fast spread of the virus in Tokyo could add to growing pressure on Japanese policymakers to protect the world's third-largest economy.
5Some observers expect Japan's economy to shrink at its fastest rate in many years because of the health crisis.
6The infection rate in Tokyo is at stage "red," the highest of four levels in the city's alert system, Koike said.
7She promised to increase testing for the coronavirus by using equipment at universities.
8Tokyo has recorded 200 or more new cases of the virus in four of the past seven days.
9Infections among young people and among those who show no real signs of sickness are rising there, health experts have noted.
10"We are in a situation where we should issue warnings to citizens and businesses," Koike told reporters, urging city residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
11Japan's central government is preparing to launch a major "Go To" travel aid campaign that aims to increase tourism within the country.
12But opposition lawmakers, local-level leaders and social media users have asked the government to suspend that campaign as daily new cases rise.
13Leaders of some rural towns say that travel in and out of high-risk areas like Tokyo may lead to widespread transmission of the coronavirus.
14Japan's economy minister, Yasutoshi Nishimura, leads the government's policy on fighting the virus.
15He says the government will move forward slowly with the "Go To" campaign.
16"Obviously we will consider the thoughts of many of our people, while monitoring the situation ahead," Nishimura told parliament.
17The travel campaign is among the government's top efforts to increase economic activity.
18The program is set to start on July 22.
19It offers big savings on day and overnight trips, as well as on shopping and food purchases.
20Koike urged the government on Wednesday to reconsider the timing for the campaign.
21Coronavirus infections are not only rising in Tokyo.
22They are also rising in Osaka prefecture.
23The area reported 61 new cases on Wednesday.
24That marks the highest number of daily cases there since April 20.
25I'm John Russell.
1The city of Tokyo raised its coronavirus alert to the highest level on Wednesday. City officials acted after record-setting numbers of new infections were reported in the Japanese capital. 2Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike described the situation in the city as "rather severe." 3The fast spread of the virus in Tokyo could add to growing pressure on Japanese policymakers to protect the world's third-largest economy. Some observers expect Japan's economy to shrink at its fastest rate in many years because of the health crisis. 4The infection rate in Tokyo is at stage "red," the highest of four levels in the city's alert system, Koike said. She promised to increase testing for the coronavirus by using equipment at universities. 5Tokyo has recorded 200 or more new cases of the virus in four of the past seven days. Infections among young people and among those who show no real signs of sickness are rising there, health experts have noted. 6"We are in a situation where we should issue warnings to citizens and businesses," Koike told reporters, urging city residents to avoid unnecessary travel. 7Japan's central government is preparing to launch a major "Go To" travel aid campaign that aims to increase tourism within the country. 8But opposition lawmakers, local-level leaders and social media users have asked the government to suspend that campaign as daily new cases rise. Leaders of some rural towns say that travel in and out of high-risk areas like Tokyo may lead to widespread transmission of the coronavirus. 9Japan's economy minister, Yasutoshi Nishimura, leads the government's policy on fighting the virus. He says the government will move forward slowly with the "Go To" campaign. 10"Obviously we will consider the thoughts of many of our people, while monitoring the situation ahead," Nishimura told parliament. 11The travel campaign is among the government's top efforts to increase economic activity. The program is set to start on July 22. It offers big savings on day and overnight trips, as well as on shopping and food purchases. 12Koike urged the government on Wednesday to reconsider the timing for the campaign. 13Coronavirus infections are not only rising in Tokyo. They are also rising in Osaka prefecture. The area reported 61 new cases on Wednesday. That marks the highest number of daily cases there since April 20. 14I'm John Russell. 15The Reuters news agency reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. 16_____________________________________________ 17Words in This Story 18alert - n. something (such as a message or loud sound) that tells people there is some danger or problem : an alarm or signal of danger 19shopping - n. the activity of visiting places where goods are sold in order to look at and buy things (such as food, clothing, etc.) 20monitor - v. to watch, observe, listen to, or check (something) for a special purpose over a period of time 21ahead - adv. in, into, or for the future 22resident - n. someone who lives in a particular place 23tourism - n. the activity of traveling to a place for pleasure 24transmission - n. the act or process by which something is spread or passed from one person or thing to another