Photo/Illutration Transparent plastic partitions set up on tables at the Kichiri pub in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward (Provided by Kichiri)

Everyone these days seems to be consumed by the "new normal."

Even after the lifting of the nationwide state of emergency to deal with the COVID-19 crisis, some aspects of the health crisis appear to be here to stay: Social distancing, transparent plastic sheeting at restaurants and checkout counters, and perhaps even plastic partitions in offices to keep employees safe from infection.

Manufacturers of transparent sheeting are responding to public awareness of taking extra precautions to stay safe by pitching plastic panels for use at the counters of local government offices, banks, medical institutions and elsewhere.

Nakaimeiban Co., a plastic panel processing and film printing firm in Osaka, developed a portable partition in May.

Comprised of four polypropylene sheets fixed with hinges, the product drops down 40 centimeters and is 55 cm wide. Weighing just 135 grams, handle included, it can be folded and erected just about anywhere in seconds.

It allows sales representatives, for example, to go about their tasks talking to clients of the companies they deal with, without running the risk of infection.

A special ink application developed by Nakaimeiban means patterns can be printed on the transparent sheeting so those sitting next to them cannot see what they are doing.

The technique also offers the chance for companies to display their corporation logos. The sheeting can be processed to give it a mirror-like surface.

Development of the portable panel began after an immobile version released in April promptly proved popular, according to Nakaimeiban.

The updated version is expected to retail for less than 2,000 yen ($18.50). It will be sold through Amazon and other channels.

"Measures against infection will be essential on many occasions in post-coronavirus society," said Shunichi Yamamoto, a managing director of Nakaimeiban. "Our aim is for people to routinely take the partitions with them when they go out."

Other businesses have also jumped on the bandwagon.

A group firm of Sakura Color Products Corp., an Osaka-based stationery maker, reported chalking up brisk corporate customer sales of its partition version, and plastic writing tool maker Kyoei Plastic Co., also based in Osaka, released an isolation panel in late March that comes in two sizes: They both drop down 60 cm, but one is 90 cm wide and the other is 120 cm wide. Unit sales have topped 3,500.

Representatives of painting material maker AMS in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, said the company had received numerous inquiries from school operators preparing to resume classes suspended during the pandemic

They said 500 units sold following the end of the Golden Week holiday season in early May.

Asahi Plastics Co. in Daito, Osaka Prefecture, released three kinds of partition in different sizes in April. The partitions are priced at between 13,000 yen and 15,000 yen.

It said a panel measuring 80 cm by 80 cm and one that drops 57 cm and is 110 cm wide had proved especially popular.

After a dental clinic that purchased the products posted an image on Facebook of a partition set up in its reception area, the manufacturer started receiving orders from across Japan. Around 500 units were delivered within a month-long period to dental clinics alone, officials said.

Because acrylic boards are flammable, Asahi Plastics only delivers them to customers after providing guidance on how to deal with such contingencies.

"Careful attention must be paid to ensure the panels are not used near a naked flame, such as in a restaurant kitchen," said Shinichi Sako, president of Asahi Plastics.

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