Japanese govt to partially subsidize for infection prevention equipment at touristic places
The government will support measures that will prevent the further spread of the coronavirus, such as measuring body temperature and setting limits on admission to museums and other tourist facilities in response to the lifting of a state of emergency, which was declared following the spread of the virus. The move is part of the government's effort to attract foreign visitors to Japan. Foreign visitors are currently restricted from entering the country, but that is expected to be gradually eased.
The Japan Tourism Agency will ask museums, amusement parks, botanical gardens and other similar facilities to apply for the aid program in late July and early August.
The agency plans to subsidize about half the cost of installing thermography equipment and other devices to measure visitors' body temperatures, and the purchase of a cashless payment system. Using a cashless payment system is considered an effective way to prevent infection that could be spread by exchanging cash. The subsidy would also cover the cost of installing electronic information boards to minimize person-to-person contact.
The agency also plans to dispatch experts to consult with various tourism-related facilities in preparation for accepting foreign visitors.
Visiting natural history museums and art museums are popular activities for foreign tourists in Japan. According to a survey conducted by the agency in 2018, about 60% of tourists from North America and Europe visited them.
There was half the number of visitors between January and March compared to the same time last year because of the government's entry restrictions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Only 2,900 visitors entered the country in April, a 99.9% drop compared to last year. The government expects that the number will rebound if the pandemic is contained and entry restrictions are lifted, prior to the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games next year.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
