Coronavirus infections in Tokyo hit a record daily high of 949 cases on Saturday as Japan heads into the New Year holiday, which normally sees people stream from the capital into the provinces.
Local media reported subdued scenes at Tokyo transport hubs a day after Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, urged the nation to stay home and avoid social mixing, as daily cases continue to climb.
With New Year celebrations centered around family gatherings and mass visits to temples and shrines, experts have warned moderation will be essential to prevent infection rates from rising further amid concerns of pandemic fatigue.
The spread of the virus in Tokyo contrasts with another hotspot, the northern island of Hokkaido, where case numbers have fallen from a November peak.
Local media reported subdued scenes at Tokyo transport hubs a day after Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, urged the nation to stay home and avoid social mixing, as daily cases continue to climb.
With New Year celebrations centered around family gatherings and mass visits to temples and shrines, experts have warned moderation will be essential to prevent infection rates from rising further amid concerns of pandemic fatigue.
The spread of the virus in Tokyo contrasts with another hotspot, the northern island of Hokkaido, where case numbers have fallen from a November peak.
