Live updates: the Covid-19 coronavirus situation in Tokyo and Japan right now

With so many air routes suspended and flights to and from Japan significantly reduced, Japan Post will temporarily stop accepting international airmail delivery from 153 countries from April 2.

On April 1, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that the government will be sending out two washable, reusable cloth face masks per household, in a bid to reduce demand for disposable paper masks. 

As the number of new Covid-19 coronavirus cases in Tokyo continues to climb, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced on April 1 that it will be extending the closure of public buildings and the cancellation of city-run events until May 6. 

Japan will ban entry from 73 nations and regions starting Friday April 3. 

Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike held a press conference yesterday (March 30) urging Tokyo citizens to continue to stay home as much as possible. Koike advised people to abstain from all nightlife activities including going out to bars, clubs, karaoke joints and live music venues, in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus.  

The cherry blossoms may be in peak bloom, but officials have decided to close the following Tokyo parks from Saturday March 28 until Sunday April 12: Rikugien, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and Kinuta Park. 

Shibuya 109, Magnet, and certain locations of Lumine, Takshimaya and Parco will be closed the weekend of March 28.

Governor Yuriko Koike held a press conference at 8pm on March 25 to formally ask Tokyo citizens to refrain from all non-urgent outings this Saturday and Sunday (March 28 and 29). The request is a preventative measure to fight the coronavirus outbreak which has put a number of cities around the globe on lockdown. 

The Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, which are originally set to begin in July this year, will now be postponed due to the escalating Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. 

Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike insists people practice self-restraint and cooperate to avoid spreading the virus. As The Japan Times reported: ‘“It is possible that depending on developments, we may need to take strong measures such as a so-called lockdown of the city,” Koike told a news conference. “We must, in any case, avoid that. Therefore, I want to ask all of the people of Tokyo for your further cooperation.”’

Starting from this Saturday March 21 until the end of April 2020, all travellers coming from Egypt, Iran and all of Europe, including the United Kingdom, are asked to self quarantine for 14 days. They are also being asked to refrain from taking public transportation.

Major department stores have adjusted their opening days and hours to slow the spread of the virus and reduce the risk to their employees.

Two cherry blossom festivals, one along the Nakameguro River and the other in Ueno Park, have been cancelled to lower the chance of the virus spreading. However, Covid-19 coronavirus can’t cancel the flowers altogether. Here are the best places to view sakura and have your own hanami picnic in Tokyo

In early March, Tokyoites began panic-purchasing toilet paper. Shelves were cleared out in drugstores and supermarkets because of false rumours claiming that the rolls were made in China or that toilet paper was being diverted to make face masks. The rumours have been debunked, but people are still hoarding.