Tokyo urges restraint over viewing cherry blossoms
The Tokyo metropolitan government held a meeting of the new coronavirus countermeasure headquarters on Friday and decided to ask people to refrain from viewing cherry blossoms at its 82 municipal parks, including Ueno Park in Taito Ward, which is known for its cherry blossoms.
The same day, the government was to put up signs and post on its website urging Tokyo residents to follow the guidance. Some parkways in Ueno Park, Inokashira Park straddling Musashino and Mitaka cities, and Yoyogi Park in Shibuya Ward will be off-limits from Friday.
On March 4, the Tokyo metropolitan government asked visitors to refrain from holding cherry blossom viewing parties in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus infections. However, in response to a sharp increase in the number of infected people in Tokyo, it decided to step up its countermeasures.
The meeting also decided to further promote telecommuting for the approximately 10,000 Tokyo employees who work at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office in Shinjuku Ward. With the exception of employees who are in charge of countermeasures against the new coronavirus and the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, telework will be conducted every day from March 30 to April 12, in principle.