The relaxation of restrictions on capacity at events went into effect on Saturday, drawing mixed feelings of anticipation and concern from those involved as the battle against the coronavirus continues.
Now able to allow in significantly more people, movie theaters, baseball stadiums and other venues welcomed the bigger crowds while adopting stricter measures to prevent the spread of infections.
However, many places still remain cautious when it comes to allowing in the newly set maximum number.
Under the new guidelines, the 50% cap for places with a capacity of 5,000 or less, such as movie theaters, was lifted, allowing them to now have full houses.
Eurospace, a small theater in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward, resumed sales of all seats on Saturday. Countermeasures for the virus, such as disinfection and taking temperatures, were done at the entrance. On the first day of screening the Portuguese movie "Vitalina Varela," some moviegoers came from long distances. The theater was filled to 30% to 40% of capacity, and people were now allowed to sit next to each other.
"I thought there was no need to halve the capacity as [movie theaters] are not places that get lively," said Chihasa Kawai, a 45-year-old company employee from Osaka.
Makoto Hojo, the theater's manager, expressed his concerns. "Half of me is happy and half of me is scared," he said. "Our biggest issue is whether elderly customers will come back."
In line with the easing of restrictions, the Japan Association of Theatre Owners revised its coronavirus guidelines, requesting that member theaters urge customers not to eat if their theaters are full. This is to prevent possible droplet infections as people take off their masks to eat. However, because food sales at movie theaters account for a large portion of revenue, the association has left the decision up to each individual theater, meaning conflicting approaches.
Many major cinema complexes, such as Toho Cinemas and Aeon Cinema, have continued their policies of selling tickets with the surrounding seats left empty.
At most concerts and theatrical performances, for which a number of tickets have been sold in advance, there was no immediate return to the former seating arrangements.
For pro baseball games, the revised regulation raises the limit from a cap of 5,000 spectators to 50% of the stadium capacity. The number of fans at games this weekend at Yokohama Stadium between the Yokohama DeNA Baystars and Yomiuri Giants has been capped at 16,000, an increase of 11,000. Fans were lined up before the gates opened at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.
"Applauding when the team has a run-scoring opportunity encourages the players," said Atsushi Haniwa, a 31-year-old company employee from Yokohama. "I'm looking forward to seeing what the atmosphere in the stadium will be like."
Nippon Professional Baseball also revised its antivirus guidelines ahead of the increase in spectators. The governing body renewed calls for teams to adopt measures to prevent the "Three Cs" -- closed spaces, crowded places and close-contact settings -- at stadium restrooms, shops and entrance gates.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
