Japan: PM Abe declares state of emergency due to COVID-19 outbreak

*NO CUTAWAYS AT SOURCE*
W/S Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe entering press conference, Tokyo
M/S Abe beginning press conference
SOT, Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister (Japanese): "So the article 32 of the revised special measure act, I hereby proclaim the State of Emergency."
SOT, Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister (Japanese): "In Kanto, four prefectures including Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama prefecture will be covered by the state of emergency, in Kansai, Osaka and Hyogo prefecture, in Kyushu, Fukuoka will be covered by the State of Emergency."
SOT, Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister (Japanese): "In the special act, the authority is exercised by the prefectural governor, but as a government, each of the three prefectures in the Kanto, Osaka and Hyogo prefectures, and Fukuoka prefecture is required to comply with Article 45, Paragraph 1 of the Special Measures act, and people there should be requested not to go out unnecessarily unless to maintain the functions necessary for life. "
SOT, Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister (Japanese): "At present, the number of infected people continues to increase at a rate of doubling in 5 days, and if infection continues to spread at this rate, it will exceed 10,000 in 2 weeks and 80,000 in 1 month."
SOT, Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister (Japanese): "Let me repeat again, in order to escape from this emergency in one month, it is premised on reducing 70 percent to 80 percent of contact between people. It's no piece of cake."
SOT, Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister (Japanese): "We have asked people to carry out "remote work", but in order to maintain our social functions, we would like you to be able to do office-work at home, except for the required occupations."
SOT, Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister (Japanese): "Even if it is absolutely necessary to go to work, the number of attendees will be reduced by at least 70 percent by setting up a rotation. Work as staggered hours. We would like to ask all business operators to take measures such as keeping enough distance between people."
SOT, Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister (Japanese): "We ask that people take measures to avoid the "Three Cs" -of close-contact settings such as close-range conversations. Going out for walking or jogging as before is not a problem."
SOT, Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister (Japanese): "On the other hand, please refrain from going to the bars, nightclubs, karaoke, and live houses where the "three Cs" are more densely overlapped."
SOT, Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister (Japanese): "When you go out, avoid crowds and keep a distance from others. Please take actions such as putting on a mask so as not to splash the droplets."
SOT, Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister (Japanese): "Cash payments totalling over 6 trillion yen will be made. In addition to 300,000 yen per household, and to the payment of the next child-care allowance, by adding 10,000 yen per child, the family with many children will be firmly supported."
SOT, Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister (Japanese): "With about 26 trillion yen grace period, we have made it possible (for business operators) to use cash on hand for business continuity."
SOT, Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister (Japanese): "This declaration of state of emergency is not like a city blockade or lockdown as seen overseas. That's a clear statement."
SOT, Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister (Japanese): "Public transport such as trains and buses will continue to operate. Experts say that there is no need to block roads, and there is no need to do so."
SOT, Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister (Japanese): "By overcoming the virus struggle, we can certainly survive the challenges of this emergency. I'm so convinced. That's all from me."
W/S Abe ending press conference
SCRIPT
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe spoke from Tokyo this Tuesday to announce a state of emergency in several regions of Japan due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The prime minister asked employers to allow employees to work from home, and to reduce in-person contact wherever necessary, including by working in shifts from places where attendance is essential.
Although Abe admitted the measures will limit public life to an extent, he was insistent that it would not be as drastic as those in Europe, and other regions.
"Public transport such as trains and buses will continue to operate. Experts say that there is no need to block roads, and there is no need to do so," said the prime minister.
He also requested his citizens wear masks in public, and referenced a stimulus package that will award 300,000 Yen (€2.526/$2.755) to low income households impacted by the outbreak and as well as an increase in the monthly child allowance.