Japan
on Wednesday passed a new law of fining bars and restaurants that flout closure
requests to strict its COVID-19 restrictions. Bars and restaurants under the
emergency areas has been ordered to shut by 8.00 pm and if not adhered to the
closing timings, they can now be fined up to 300,000 yen.

Lawmakers
has also decided to fine up to 500,000 yen to those who denies to get hospitalized
if they test COVID-19 positive. However, plans to implement imprisonment as
punishment for breaking COVID-19 laws has been cancelled, reported AFP.

Also read: Olympics will go ahead this summer regardless of COVID-19 situation: Tokyo 2020 chief

With just six months to the Summer Olympics, Tokyo and other parts of country are presently under a state of
emergency following a record surge in COVID-19 cases.

The bill was passed in the parliament a day after Prime
Minister Yoshihide Suga approved to extend the state of emergency till March 7.
The new law will be implemented after around 10 days, so that countrymen get
used to it, as per local media, reported AFP.

Also read: President Joe Biden assures defence of Japan in phone call with PM Yoshihide Suga

Although unlike other country’s strict lockdowns, Japan’s
emergency rules including work from home and businesses to close early have had
no means of enforcement until now.

Despite the recent surge in cases, Japan has witnessed a comparatively
small virus outbreak, with around 5,800 deaths overall.