Shibuya station
Photo: Grzegorz Kaliciak/Unsplash

Tokyo to commence stage two of reopening plan on Monday June 1

Gyms and movie theatres will be able to reopen with increased safety and social distancing measures

Kasey Furutani
Written by
Kasey Furutani
Advertising

Less than one week after the state of emergency was lifted and stage one of Tokyo’s reopening plan began, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has now announced plans to proceed to stage two on Monday, June 1. The number of Covid-19 coronavirus cases has stayed low for the past week, allowing the Tokyo government to continue with its gradual reopening plan. 

According to The Japan Times, Koike was quoted saying, ‘As we move closer to reopening the city, now is when the risk of a second wave is at its highest.’ She also added that ‘we need to prioritize both the local economy and the well-being of residents.’

The three-step plan started with reopening museums and libraries and allowing restaurants to serve food and alcohol until 10pm. However, some places are treading lightly and are planning to reopen only in mid-June. 

Here are the details for stage two: 

  • Restaurants will continue to serve food and alcohol until 10pm. 
  • Gyms will be allowed to open.
  • Non-essential retail stores will be allowed to open. 
  • Businesses without a previous cluster of outbreaks will be allowed to reopen with shortened hours and increased safety measures. This includes movie theatres and tutoring centres, such as cram schools. 
  • Public events for a maximum of 100 people will be allowed.


The Japan Times also reported that emergency measures may be reinstated if ‘daily infections in Tokyo exceed 50, more than half are untraceable or new cases have doubled since the previous week’. 

Even though businesses are slowly reopening nationwide, people are still urged to wear face masks and practise social distancing. The government is also promoting a new lifestyle designed to kickstart businesses while keeping infection rates low. With Japan planning to fully reopen the economy as early as August, we need to do our best to keep ourselves and others safe. 

At the time of writing, there are 5,195 cases in Tokyo and 16,334 cases in Japan

Read our guide on how to go outside safely. 

More news from Tokyo and Japan

Tokyo Governor releases weekly English video updates on coronavirus

Help those affected by coronavirus by donating to these organisations in Japan

These are all the countries and regions affected by Japan’s entry ban

How to wear a face mask without fogging up your glasses

How to make a DIY no-sew face mask

You may also like
You may also like
Advertising