TOKYO: The Tokyo metropolitan government decided Monday to call for closures of not only night clubs but department stores, universities and theaters after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declares a state of emergency over the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Schools, nurseries, workout gyms, live music clubs, shopping malls, barbers, izakaya pubs and pachinko pinball parlors will be among other facilities to be asked to shut following the declaration, to come on Tuesday.

The metropolitan government will also request voluntary restraint on holding of both indoor and outdoor events if they are to be joined by two or more people.

On the other hand, operations of services and facilities vital to people's daily lives, including hospitals, pharmacies, supermarkets, eateries, public transportation, financial institutions and factories, will be asked to continue while taking proper measures to prevent infections with the virus.

For residents, the Tokyo government will renew its request for not going out for unessential purposes.

"You can still go out to buy daily necessities even after the emergency is declared, and stores will remain open," Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said in her online video message. "There will be nothing to worry about."

According to metropolitan government officials, specific facilities to receive the closure request will be chosen after discussions with the central government. Also undecided is which part of the capital will be hit by the request and how long it will remain in place.

At a press conference later in the day, Koike said, "Our biggest aim is to protect citizens' lives and health. I strongly call on residents and businesses to cooperate in minimizing the virus' effects on people's daily lives and the economy (in the capital)."

In a related development, Hirofumi Yoshimura, governor of Osaka Prefecture, told reporters in the city of Osaka the same day that he will "strongly" urge residents in the western Japan prefecture not to go out except for essential purposes such as buying food, commuting and visiting hospitals after the declaration.

The restraint will be sought "for a long period of time," he said.

JIJI Press