(Refiles in order to include TOKYO dateline

TOKYO (Reuters). Japan is expected to increase the number of areas under the enhanced coronavirus controls on Tuesday. This comes as Japan attempts to change strategies in order to fight the Omicron variant, which has fueled record-breaking numbers of cases.

The expansion of harsher counter-measures was approved by a government panel, including in the Osaka prefecture and Kyoto regions.

Omicron had caused an increase in infections and hospital admissions. These were the reasons for these measures. Japan recorded more than 44,000 additional cases on Monday according to NHK’s public broadcaster.

From Thursday to Friday, the curbs will apply. Regional governors can ask bars and restaurants to reduce business hours or stop selling alcohol.

Since the declaration was already made in 16 prefectures the expansion will cover over 70% of Japan’s territories until the middle month.

A third extension of the so-called “quasi-emergency” measures for three regions was also approved by the advisory panel. It will run until February 20,

On Tuesday, a government taskforce under Prime Minister Fumio Kishhida will officially approve the decision.

Late Monday, the health ministry said that doctors will be able to diagnose COVID patients who are in close contact and show symptoms of COVID.

According to Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Mattsuno, the new policy allows patients to receive prompt testing and treatment in the direction of their community depending on how serious the situation is.

“We present a policy that expands the options for patients like combining tests prior to visiting medical institutions,” said he.

He said that those at risk for becoming severely ill from COVID-19 need to see a doctor, even if they are covered by the policy.

Managing COVID-19 without a laboratory test confirmation is similar to how doctors fight influenza in areas where “the community burden is high”, said Kazuaki Jindai, a physician and researcher at Tohoku University.

“The important thing is that some people will get sick eventually and we need to have a good monitoring system to make sure that they are safe. Not only by providing them hospitalization but also access to new oral medications.”

Kishida stated that the government will also consider scientific data when considering shorter quarantines to people who are close to COVID-19 patients.