Photo/Illutration At a Cheers One outlet operated by a Japanese-style "izakaya" pub, dolls dressed in cheerleader outfits occupy some booths to maintain social distancing among customers in Tokyo’s Ginza district on June 13. (Nobuo Fujiwara)

At an "izakaya" pub in Tokyo's Ginza district, some of the "customers" didn't get into the spirit as Cheers One returned to its midnight closing time on June 12, as the capital eased COVID-19 restrictions.

“Stop the coronavirus, and cheers!” staffers dressed as cheerleaders called out to celebrate a step closer to normalcy.

However, five figures in various booths sat stiffly amid the revelry. They were dolls in cheerleader attire placed to maintain social distancing between customers. 

The dolls are part of the Japanese-style pub's exhaustive measures to ensure the safety of patrons and staff. Customers are asked to disinfect their hands, smartphones and soles of their shoes at the entrance.

They are also asked to wear face shields and gloves, just like staffers.

The number of customers had plunged since the middle of March following the novel coronavirus outbreak, resulting in a 90 percent drop in sales, according to the establishment.

After shutting down in late March, the outlet reopened May 7, albeit with shorter hours. The dolls debuted on June 1.

Their occupation of some booths means that the pub cannot expect sales to return to their levels before the pandemic.

However, Arata Funabara, 52, the manager of the outlet, prefers to see the glass as half full--at least for now.

“I would like customers to enjoy seeing the scene of the seated dolls,” he said.

Related News