Japan ends COVID-19 quasi-emergency in 18 prefectures

Good. Time to get on with life. Next step, open the country back up to tourism.

Anybody want to place bets on how long Japan will be SoE free before it starts up again? After Golden Week perhaps, so people can pump money into the domestic tourism industry?

So another quasi- or semi- state of emergency in a month time, right?

Japan is acting like the people who stop taking antibiotics as soon as they feel better, and immediately get sick again. The half measures and "will we/won't we" lockdown isn't particularly effective. Either actually do a meaningful lockdown that actually locks things down, or stop the half-measures entirely.

Doing all these semi-lockdowns just for show doesn't help anyone either way.

lift the quasi-emergency based on new criteria, including allowing it to end if the strain on the health care system is expected to ease despite infection numbers staying at high levels.

The "criteria" of the non-states of emergency were always based on what was politically and financially advantageous to the LDP.

Medical services and the health of the populace have obviously never been prioritized.

Good news, noticing far less people wearing masks today, the subservience is relaxing.

I don’t care that much about restaurants not having to close early, for me it is much more a big deal to get the border restrictions lifted. I have kids that my most of my family have never met and can’t realistically travel anywhere myself all because of the nonsensical, anti-science, xenophobic border restrictions.

Nothing really changed during that span anyways.

Finally the quasi-nonsense is over.

Restaurants that need to close early and no serving alcohol but Tokyo Subway and trains jammed packed with people in rush hours like sardines.

Japan and it’s senseless rules.

reimplemented by Golden Week? 50/50 I would say.

Oh...there was an emergency ???

I didn't notice as so many Japanese tourists coming recently.

Oh well

This is Japan.

Is there any difference between quasi or no SoE? Coz I was drinking till midnight in Shinjuku last week and lots of bars and izakayas open till then.

Winding down thankfully! Time to open up and move on!

Yes, good news. Seems we are turning the page on Covid.

When can the masks come off, and the magic plastic sheeting removed?

When can the masks come off, and the magic plastic sheeting removed?

> They come off when you decide to take em off.......like I do every day.

Never was a quasi SOE where I live anyhow.

As for masks they are here to stay in Japan forever. People love them. They wear them driving the car ALONE, bicycling, riding a motor scooter and walking ALONE in the park or anywhere outdoors even mountain walking with NO one around. They probably wear them ALONE at home too I guess.

they have always worn masks though, I think the point is, will there be the continued moral grand standing, brow beating and finger pointing if people choose to not wear a mask....like pre-covid times. I for one don't give AF and I generally don't wear a mask even now. I care not one jot for such people but I do pay lip service at the mo to certain situations where they require a mask...eg when ordering at the bar, but it's perfectly fine to sit without the mask at your table with your drink (wink wink nudge nudge....another CHECK in the "we're being constructive" box)....because I want to use their services. If it's not the "official" policy then I can deal with the tut-tutters and busy bodies in everyday activities.