The head of Japan's pandemic response on Saturday said the government needs to consult with health experts before deciding on another declaration as an interim measure.

Economy Minister Yes Toshi Nakamura said restaurants and karaoke parlors in the Tokyo area would be asked to close at eight PM Businesses serving alcohol.

Seven PM All this In response to a meeting he held earlier Saturday with the governors of Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures, the governors urged a new state of emergency declaration.

Tokyo raised its covert 19 alert level to its highest notch on December 17th.

On Thursday, new infections in the capital rose to a record 1337 cases and the country set a record with more than 4500 new cases.