Japanese Lifts Travel Ban
People began traveling en masse again a day after the government lifted its last-remaining advisories recommending against interstate travel amid the coronavirus pandemic. The government, however, still faces a difficult task of reining in the spread of the coronavirus while accelerating economic activity to help businesses recover. At JR Tokyo Station, face mask-wearing East Japan Railway Co. officials were busy serving luggage-carrying travelers at service windows partitioned by vinyl sheets installed as part of anti-virus measures. The government withdrew its request that people in Tokyo and the neighboring prefectures of Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa, as well as Hokkaido, refrain from crossing prefectural borders. The areas were the last in the country to see the request lifted and were also the last group of prefectures where the state of emergency was lifted by the government in May. Tourists were returning to popular sightseeing spots elsewhere as well.
Tags : INTERNATIONAL