APR 16 ,2020. 5 minutes ago – 12:51 KYO DO NEWS

TOKYO – The government is considering expanding the list of prefectures covered by Japan’s state of emergency declaration over the coronavirus outbreak, with Kyoto among the candidates, an official said Thursday.

The expansion, also possibly including Hokkaido and Aichi, will be discussed later this week by a government panel of experts on communicable diseases, the official said.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last week issued the declaration in seven prefectures including Tokyo and Osaka, prompting local authorities to request residents to refrain from nonessential outings and some businesses to shut.

The seven prefectures already covered by the declaration also include Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Hyogo and Fukuoka.

CR:KYODO NEWS