TOKYO: Japan's famed cherry blossom season is in full bloom but parks in Tokyo are empty of traditional "viewing parties" this year, part of efforts to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Cherry blossom viewing known "hanami" is a beloved part of the Japanese social calendar, with friends, family and work colleagues gathering for picnics, often with copious amounts of alcohol, beneath the picturesque pink flowers.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Japan's Meteorological Agency declared the start of Tokyo's cherry blossom season on Mar 14, the earliest ever for the capital and 12 days earlier than an average year due to rising temperatures.
Explore: Real-time interactive map of all the confirmed cases reported around the world
READ: Japan may hand out cash to households in stimulus package to battle COVID-19 fallout
A visitor wearing a protective face mask takes a photograph of blooming cherry blossoms at Ueno park in Tokyo, Mar 19, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Issei Kato)
Advertisement
Advertisement
But the Tokyo government has urged citizens to refrain from hanami parties given the crisis. Major cherry blossom festivals have been cancelled, ropes have been set up around the trees and signs reading "no parties allowed" have been posted.
"I think it's better to temporarily refrain from viewing parties," said Junya Shigemasu, a university student. "It's a burden on the people, but I feel it's important to stop the virus from spreading further."
Japan has recorded more than 1,600 cases of the virus, including about 700 from the Diamond Princess cruise liner. Thirty-nine people have died, including seven from the liner.
READ: Foreign visitors to Japan plunge 58% in February amid COVID-19 outbreak
READ: Japan panel may advise relaxation of virus controls for some regions: Report
Visitors wearing protective face masks look at blooming cherry blossoms at URead More – Source
TOKYO: Japan's famed cherry blossom season is in full bloom but parks in Tokyo are empty of traditional "viewing parties" this year, part of efforts to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Cherry blossom viewing known "hanami" is a beloved part of the Japanese social calendar, with friends, family and work colleagues gathering for picnics, often with copious amounts of alcohol, beneath the picturesque pink flowers.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Japan's Meteorological Agency declared the start of Tokyo's cherry blossom season on Mar 14, the earliest ever for the capital and 12 days earlier than an average year due to rising temperatures.
Explore: Real-time interactive map of all the confirmed cases reported around the world
READ: Japan may hand out cash to households in stimulus package to battle COVID-19 fallout
A visitor wearing a protective face mask takes a photograph of blooming cherry blossoms at Ueno park in Tokyo, Mar 19, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Issei Kato)
Advertisement
Advertisement
But the Tokyo government has urged citizens to refrain from hanami parties given the crisis. Major cherry blossom festivals have been cancelled, ropes have been set up around the trees and signs reading "no parties allowed" have been posted.
"I think it's better to temporarily refrain from viewing parties," said Junya Shigemasu, a university student. "It's a burden on the people, but I feel it's important to stop the virus from spreading further."
Japan has recorded more than 1,600 cases of the virus, including about 700 from the Diamond Princess cruise liner. Thirty-nine people have died, including seven from the liner.
READ: Foreign visitors to Japan plunge 58% in February amid COVID-19 outbreak
READ: Japan panel may advise relaxation of virus controls for some regions: Report
Visitors wearing protective face masks look at blooming cherry blossoms at URead More – Source
