Photo/Illutration Fewer people are on the streets in a normally bustling area of Osaka just before 9 p.m. on Nov. 27 after businesses that serve alcohol were asked to shorten their operating hours. (Takaharu Yagi)

Seven local governments are now asking businesses to take measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, but doubts are growing over their effectiveness and whether complying companies can survive under such conditions.

As of Dec. 1, Tokyo, Hokkaido, Ibaraki, Saitama, Chiba, Aichi and Osaka prefectures have requested reduced operating hours or a halt to alcohol sales mainly in entertainment districts, according to data compiled by The Asahi Shimbun.

The Saitama prefectural government on Dec. 1 decided to ask businesses that serve alcohol and other establishments in Omiya Ward in Saitama city, and Kawaguchi and Koshigaya cities to close by 10 p.m. from Dec. 4 through 17.

The prefecture will provide 280,000 yen ($2,681) to each business that cooperates with the request.

The targeted zones each contain bustling areas where group infections have occurred.

“We want to curb the number of patients who test positive before hospital capacity shrinks during the New Year’s holidays,” Saitama Governor Motohiro Ono said at a news conference on Dec. 1. “Now is the crucial period.”

The third wave of novel coronavirus infections has hit various parts of the country and raised concerns that all hospital beds for COVID-19 patients will soon be filled up.

Hokkaido has been hit particularly hard since late October. The Hokkaido government asked companionship-related businesses in Sapporo’s Susukino entertainment district to shorten their operating hours for three weeks from Nov. 7.

However, infections continued to spread, so the Hokkaido government extended its request through Dec. 11, suspending all companionship businesses in Sapporo.

Tokyo and Osaka Prefecture will pay 400,000 yen and 500,000 yen, respectively, to cooperating operators, 200,000 yen more than their offers after similar requests were made during the second wave of infections in the summer.

But some business operators have said, “It can’t compensate for our losses.”

December has traditionally been crucial for entertainment-related businesses and drinking establishments, with money flowing in from year-end revelry and parties held by companies.

The Chiba prefectural government has not asked restaurants and bars to shorten their business hours, but it urged them not to serve alcohol. The prefecture does not plan to pay cooperation money.

The Aichi prefectural government called for reduced or suspended business operations in Nagoya’s Sakae shopping and entertainment district and elsewhere. Those areas received the same request during the second wave.

But an official of the Nagoya city government said more people are now being infected at their homes or workplaces.

“The request will not be effective like the previous time,” the official said.

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