In response to the government's urging of people to refrain from leaving their homes to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus and to prevent the so-called "Three Cs" -- closed spaces, crowded places and close-contact settings -- new services such as drive-through vegetable sales and hot spring delivery services have been launched in many areas.
In the industrial area of Ota Ward, Tokyo, a long line of cars formed outside of a warehouse on April 11. As each car reached the front of the warehouse, a staff member wearing rubber gloves and a mask collects payment through the driver's window and a cardboard box filled with vegetables is loaded into the trunk.
Fruit and vegetable wholesaler Food Supply, based in Tokyo, has started a "drive-thru grocery store" service where vegetables and other items can be purchased from the seat of your car.
The company wholesales vegetables and rice to about 4,500 restaurants, but about 70% of them have suspended their operations due to the new coronavirus outbreak. So, it began the service to sell the food in an effort to reduce waste. One of the customers, a company employee in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, said, "I can shop with peace of mind."
Fukuya, a hot spring facility in Hirakawa, Aomori Prefecture, which has seen its sales fall by half due to a series of cancellations of events such as banquets, has begun offering hot spring delivery services. The hot water, with a temperature of 51 C from the source, is collected in a truck tank and delivered the amount to fill a bathtub -- about 300 liters -- costs 2,000, yen including tax. One of the service's users commented, "I can now enjoy hot springs without leaving my home."
A state of emergency was declared in seven prefectures, including Tokyo, on April 7, and was extended nationwide on April 16. In a report compiled by Nomura Securities Co., based on past data from the Cabinet Office, it was pointed out that it would be up to about two weeks for people to be able to endure the voluntary restraint on leaving their homes as a countermeasure against the spread of the new coronavirus, and there are concerns about so-called self-restraint fatigue.
Under such circumstances, THE COO, Inc. in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, operator of a member-only fan exchange application, has begun a project called "Don't stop the live" beginning from the end of March. This project delivers live, spectator-free shows online for a fee. A musician who performed in the live show said, "It was good that we were able to meet the expectations of people who wanted to see live performances."
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