COVID-19 Japan's new mask rules

For example, bars and restaurants that continue to require customers to wear masks would want to know how to deal with customers who insist that it's their right to decide on masking up. In its revised policy, the government also listed situations where it would be preferable if masks were worn to prevent the spread of infections. Those situations are when individuals go to medical institutions for health problems, visited medical institutions and facilities for senior citizens where many elderly people at higher risk of developing serious symptoms are present or when commuting on crowded trains and buses. Those with COVID-19 symptoms or who have tested positive are encouraged to refrain from outings and to wear masks if they had to leave their homes. Those at risk of developing serious symptoms would also be asked to mask up when heading to crowded locations.

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In the pandemic's beginning, mask-wearing was taken up across Japan in the blink of an eye. "We've been wearing them for the three years since then," Yamaguchi said, adding, "It made me aware how people tend to base decisions on observing others, or put otherwise, how strongly peer pressure is rooted in Japanese society." Beyond mid-March, there will still be seasonal influenza risks, and hay fever season will continue. In addition to people's thought process, 'Let's see what others are doing,' this is the time of the year when masks are essential regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Yamaguchi's view, many people will take this wait-and-see approach, and not stop wearing a mask right away.

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thomas said:

Given the current flu wave, it makes sense to keep wearing them on public transportation or in crowded places, but I stopped wearing them outdoors long ago.

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• Seven-Eleven Japan Co. and FamilyMart Co. will ask customers to wear masks whenever possible. The decision on staff wearing masks will be left to the discretion of each store owner, but for the time being, they will recommend that employees wear masks to prevent infection.
• Takashimaya Co. plans to let customers decide whether to wear masks starting on March 13. Staff members will keep their masks on.
• Aeon Co., which runs shopping centres and supermarkets nationwide, is also considering easing up on its calls to wear masks.
• Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in Osaka will also leave it up to visitors to decide whether or not to wear masks in the park, while the company said that USJ workers would continue to wear masks.

JR East will also no longer make announcements on trains and at stations to discourage rush hour travel and conversations on trains. JR East President Yuji Fukasawa said on March 7 that he would ensure the company's policy change would not cause any concerns to passengers. The move followed an earlier announcement by the government that it would leave the decision of mask-wearing up to each individual. Given that the government still recommends that people wear face coverings on crowded trains, however, Fukasawa said his staff members may ask passengers to talk more quietly or discourage conversations on rush hour trains as a courtesy to others. The operator's staff members who may encounter customers will continue wearing masks.

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