Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced plans to completely lift coronavirus restrictions on 21 March.

The COVID-19 restrictions currently in place in 18 prefectures, including the Tokyo area, will end on Monday as planned, Kishida said at a news conference on Wednesday.

“This will be a transitional period so that we can return to our normal daily lives as much as possible by taking maximum precautions,” Kishida said.

Kishida said lifting the restrictions would allow for more domestic travel, as well as parties and larger gatherings for those who are vaccinated or if they test negative.