The Japanese island of Hokkaido is declaring a state of emergency over the rapid spread of coronavirus there.
The island’s governor says the emergency will continue until mid-March.
He is urging all residents to stay at home this weekend, which he says is a critical time to prevent the situation from worsening.
The number of cases of the strain of coronavirus – also known as Covid-19 – in Hokkaido has risen rapidly in recent days to 63.
Schools throughout Japan are closing until the end of March.
