Japan PM proposes state of emergency to tackle Covid-19

Abe also proposes a stimulus package worth $1 trillion for the economy.

Update: 2020-04-06 12:06 GMT
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gestures as he arrives at his office in Tokyo on March 18, 2020. Abe said the country will expand quarantine measures and a ban on entry from parts of countries including Italy and Spain affected by the coronavirus outbreak. (AFP)

Tokyo: Japan's prime minister proposed a state of emergency for several major regions seeing a sharp rise in coronavirus cases, as well as a stimulus package worth $1 trillion to cushion the impact on the world's third-biggest economy.

The official declaration of the state of emergency would likely come as soon as Tuesday, Shinzo Abe told reporters, as the country grapples with a recent spike in coronavirus cases, especially in the capital Tokyo.

Meanwhile, Singapore has put nearly 20,000 migrant workers under quarantine for two weeks after a growing number of infections were detected in their dormitories.

Authorities reported 120 new virus cases Sunday, the highest jump in a single day, with many linked to the dorms.

Many workers from less affluent countries -- particularly parts of South Asia -- come to Singapore to work in construction, and are typically housed in large dormitory complexes.

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