Pedestrians wearing protective face masks cross a road in the Roppongi district of Tokyo, Japan, July 30, 2020. (SHOKO TAKAYASU / BLOOMBERG)
TOKYO / DHAKA / BANGKOK- Japan's minister in charge of coronavirus measures on Tuesday said the government is "closely monitoring" the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country.
Daishiro Yamagiwa, following the conclusion of a cabinet meeting, also told a press briefing that rising cases overseas involving Omicron's sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5 had not gone unnoticed by the government.
As cases rise across the country, Japan has also relaxed its previously strict COVID-related border controls
The government has, however, recommended that people stop wearing masks in certain situations, provided that social distancing measures are adhered to.
As cases rise across the country, Japan has also relaxed its previously strict COVID-19-related border controls.
Overseas visitors from a number of countries are now allowed to enter Japan without vaccine documentation and with no quarantine requirements upon arrival.
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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan had maintained the strictest border controls out of all Group of Seven (G7) members.
However, as a barometer for the outlook of cases nationwide, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government on Tuesday reported 2,514 new cases of COVID-19 infections in the capital.
Compared to the same day a week before, the figure increased by 551, the local government said, marking the 11th straight day of week-on-week increases in Tokyo.
From a week earlier, the seven-day average through Tuesday stood at 2,159.7, jumping 28.4 percent from the previous week, the metropolitan government said.
Students arrive to attend their classes at the Rajuk Uttara Model College in Dhaka on Sept 12, 2021, as Bangladesh schools reopened after 18 months in one of the world's longest shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
(MUNIR UZAMAN / AFP)
Bangladesh
Amid a fresh surge in COVID-19 cases, Bangladesh's Cabinet Division issued a circular with the six-point directives to be effective immediately on Tuesday.
In line with the directives, people must wear masks at all gatherings, shopping malls and restaurants under the "No mask, no service" policy.
Those who bear any symptoms are encouraged to get themselves tested for COVID-19.
The moves are aimed at limiting the fresh spread of the new wave of COVID-19 as Bangladesh is again seeing a surge in fresh cases after a respite of several months.
Schoolchildren and their parents wait in an observation area after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination drive for 12 to 18-year-olds with preexisting conditions ahead of the re-opening of schools, at the Vachira Haospital in Bangkok, Thailand, on Sept. 21, 2021. (ANDREW MALERBA / BLOOMBERG)
Thailand
Thailand's two deputy prime ministers, Anutin Charnvirakul and Jurin Laksanavisit, have tested positive for COVID-19, local media reported Tuesday.
Anutin, who is also the country's public health minister, and Jurin, who is also the commerce minister, were both confirmed as being infected days after they returned from abroad.
Anutin returned to Thailand on Sunday after attending the 50th meeting of the UNAIDS Program Coordinating Board in Geneva, Switzerland, from June 21 to June 24, while Jurin returned from a trip to Britain during June 18 and June 23, according to local media reports.
Both were recommended for a one-week isolation, according to local media.
On Tuesday, Thailand reported 1,761 new confirmed cases and 13 additional fatalities, said the country's Ministry of Public Health.