More than 2 million people have used Japan's travel subsidy campaign since it kicked off in July in a bid to revive a domestic tourism industry hit hard by the novel coronavirus pandemic, the nation's top government spokesperson said Monday.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said there had been 10 reported cases of infections at hotels and other lodging facilities registered with the Go To Travel campaign, which was launched on July 22.

Under the program, the government covers part of the cost of domestic tourist trips. However, the campaign was thrown into disarray before it was launched when the government made the decision to exclude travel to and from Tokyo and by residents of the capital in response to a spike in infections.

The exact number of people that had used the campaign was not released Monday, and the government tally did not take into account people taking more than one trip.

Despite concerns the campaign could lead to a rise in infections Suga said the government would continue the program, while taking into account the views of health experts as and when needed to prevent the spread of the virus.

Source: ANNnewsCH