Tokyo, April 21: Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano says the government plans to close off the 20-kilometer zone around Fukushima power plant to enforce the evacuation order.
A devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan’s northern coast on March 11 set off nuclear problems by knocking out power to the cooling systems of reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, causing radiation leaks.
The government ordered the evacuation of the people living in a 20-kilometer (12.4-mile) radius around the plant and told people residing between 20 and 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) from the plant to remain indoors.
According to Kyodo News Agency, many of 78,000 people who have been evacuated following nuclear crisis at Fukushima power plant have been commuting to the zone during past weeks.
All that needs to stop “to guarantee the health and safety of the people,” Edano said on Wednesday.
Edano added that the government would work with local officials to close off the zone.
Japan’s government has currently stationed police at checkpoints leading to the area.
Edano explained that families would be allowed to enter the area to get things from their homes after taking proper protective measures.
——–Agencies