The Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike, urged the Tokyo residents to stay home and enjoy hanami in 2021 instead. (Image via Asia Society)

Yuriko Koike: Enjoy hanami next year, not now!

Japan is entering the full-blooming of the cherry blossom (sakura) season. However, due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak on the land, the flower viewing (hanami) in the capital is halted temporarily.

The Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike, repeatedly inquired the 13 million residents of Tokyo to stay home and avoid mass gatherings this weekend. She said that Tokyo was near to facing a surge in virus infection cases. If the virus infection growth does not slow down, Koike does not close the possibility to lock Tokyo down.

On Friday evening, the access to Ueno Park was blocked with “No Parties” and “Danger! No Entry” signs. The park is a famous spot for hanami. Last weekend, when the Japanese government announced the end of school closure, Ueno Park was cramped due to Tokyo people thought that the outbreak was finally over, except it was not and it actually worsened.

Koike then repeated her request on Friday, asking the people of Tokyo to postpone their hanamis until next year, saying that sakura will bloom again next year. The priority now is to tackle the outbreak.

Not only the parks, but also other leisure destinations such as amusement parks, zoos, and aquariums will be closed for the weekend. The Japanese officials only worry that the asymptomatic youngsters will spread the virus without knowing.

Source: https://bit.ly/39sKTa2