Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike's call for residents to refrain from nonessential outings this weekend prompted a swarm of shoppers to supermarkets to stock up, while restaurants and other businesses began considering shortening their business hours.
Koike announced the request Wednesday evening in a bid to contain the spread of the new coronavirus in the capital. At a hastily arranged press conference, Koike urged Tokyo residents to remain in their homes "as much as possible." She called on people to work remotely on weekdays, not go out in the evenings, and to avoid nonessential outings this weekend.
On Thursday morning, many customers desperate to stock up on food, drink and other items rushed to supermarkets. A line of 40 to 50 customers formed in front of the Fuji Mart supermarket in Nishi-Kasai in Edogawa Ward, Tokyo, before its opening at 10 a.m. As soon as the doors opened, shoppers rushed into the store, resulting in entry restrictions being imposed after just 15 minutes. The supermarket was jam-packed with shoppers filling their baskets with fresh food, instant noodles and other items.
A 38-year-old mother of two elementary school children and a preschooler looked relieved as she emerged from the supermarket. "We don't have any rice at home, and I was worried about how we would get through the weekend," she said. "This is the third place I've tried, and I finally managed to buy some rice."
According to the supermarket, rice, instant noodles and canned goods started selling quickly after Koike's press conference.
"We have enough stock at the moment, and there is no problem getting in more supplies," said the supermarket's manager. "But if people keep panic-buying more than they need, we'll have to consider restricting purchases of some items."
Koike's request to refrain from weekend outings is expected to be heeded and result in fewer people venturing out those days.
A man in his 50s who operates a souvenir shop on the Nakamise-dori shopping street in Tokyo's Asakusa district said the lack of foot traffic could hurt businesses. "If fewer people come because they were asked to stay home, many shops will probably stay closed this weekend," he said.
The man said sales at his shop from the latter half of February to March had plunged by 95% from the same period last year. He relies on overseas visitors for much of his business, so this is a tough time. "I wonder if this situation will continue for another year," he said with a resigned look.
On Thursday morning, NTT Docomo Inc. decided to reduce the operating hours of about 230 of its outlets in the Tokyo metropolitan area until April 1. The stores will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. KDDI Corp., known for its au brand, also is considering shortening business hours of its agencies. Department stores, restaurants and other service industries have also started examining whether to review their opening hours.
At a regular meeting Thursday, the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education decided on measures to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus at about 250 public high schools and other schools that are scheduled to reopen from early April. The board decided on a policy of delaying the start time of classes and having each grade of students attend school on different days until April 12.
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