A COVID-19 state of emergency kicked in on Monday in Japan's capital Tokyo which is just 11 days away from the opening of the Summer Olympic Games. The government announced the decision on July 8 to curb a recent surge in infections. Under the state of emergency, restaurants will be prohibited from serving alcohol, and shopping malls should be closed by 8 p.m. The state of emergency will last until August 22. The Tokyo Olympics, which runs from July 23 to August 8, will be held behind closed doors at almost all venues.