Photo/Illutration Yasutoshi Nishimura, the state minister tasked with dealing with the novel coronavirus pandemic, holds a news conference June 13 to explain guidelines for businesses that play a central role in entertainment districts at night. (Tomohiro Yamamoto)

The government on June 13 announced measures to deal with an easing of restrictions on bars, nights clubs and live music venues, business sectors that are among the last to be allowed to reopen for normal operating hours due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Guidelines announced by Yasutoshi Nishimura, the state minister for economic revitalization, are intended to keep customers and staff safe, and the measures will surely transform an evening out for many people.

Nishimura, who also is in charge of dealing with the novel coronavirus pandemic, stressed that the guidelines apply particularly to venues where staff and customers are in close contact, ventilation may be poor and crowding poses another concern.

Customers and members of staff will be obliged to observe social distancing by staying at least two meters apart. Customer numbers will be limited to half of an establishment’s capacity.

Businesses will also be required to keep a record of contact numbers and addresses of customers to help trace infection routes should an infection occur.

Nishimura announced the guidelines at a news conference in Tokyo.

The authorities held off on giving the OK to resume normal operating hours due to the higher risk of COVID-19 infections among people congregating in crowded places.

Many establishments are relatively small and tend to lack proper ventilation, posing a risk to customers and staff if they are in close contact.

The guidelines were compiled by business organizations that oversee live music venues, night clubs and other drinking establishments where customers and staff are in close contact.

The June 13 announcement comes ahead of government plans to gradually relax restrictions on economic activities from June 19.

At the news conference, Nishimura expressed his hope that the public would understand why continuing precautions are essential due to fears of a "second wave" of infections.

He said the guidelines were compiled “as a way to protect the health and lives of not only employees, but also customers.”

Other measures recommended are that staff and customers all wear face masks and that payments be made as much as possible in electronic money to avoid direct contact.

The government will provide support in the form of subsidies to help establishments make the necessary adjustments to allow for payments other than in cash.

Due to fears of cluster COVID-19 infections at establishments where customers and staff are in close contact, the government had urged prefectural governments to continue with their requests to local residents to refrain from going out even after it lifted its state of emergency for the entire nation on May 25.

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