During the Golden Week holidays between May 1 and 5, Fukuoka Prefecture reported over-300 cases of the new coronavirus infections each day. Regional counts for the total of 337 new infections reported on May 5 were; 171 in Fukuoka City, 13 in Kitakyushu, 23 in Kurume, and 130 in other parts of the prefecture. The occupancy rate for secured hospital beds stood at 62.2% as of May 4. To battle against the deteriorating situation, stricter business regulations take effect for regional eateries and some commercial facilities between May 6 ~ 19. Eateries in Fukuoka City and Kurume are requested to close by 20:00 and not take orders for alcoholic drinks after 19:00. Restaurants and bars in other municipalities can operate only until 21:00 and take orders for alcoholic beverages until 20:00. Large-scale commercial facilities (1,000 m2 or more,) including movie theaters, museums, sports facilities, and amusement parks, are requested to close by 20:00 in Fukuoka and Kurume (21:00 in other regions.) Additionally, the maximum scale for events is now reduced from 10,000 people to 5,000 people. The government is expected to announce whether or not to apply the ‘mann-enn boushi sochi’ program to Fukuoka Prefecture by the end of this week. Source: KBC
