No screams please: Japanese amusement parks prepare to reopen

"refrain from vocalizing loudly" on rollercoasters and other rides.

'Ghosts' lurking in haunted houses should maintain a healthy distance from their 'victims', the guidelines add.

Park staff, including those dressed up as stuffed animal mascots and superheroes, should not shake hands or high-five with young fans but maintain an appropriate distance.

Superheroes engaged in fights to the death with evil villains should also avoid whipping up support from spectators to prevent screams -- and potentially coronavirus-laden droplets -- from flying through the air.

That just takes the amusement out of an amusement park too much don't you think?

Japan's best-known theme parks -- Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan in Osaka -- remain closed with no date yet set for reopening.

Isn’t the writer confused?

He fails to list even one park that has or is reopening!

This article reminds me of eating konyaku ...

Citizens and businesses have been urged to adapt to a "new normal" in the coronavirus era, including mask-wearing and social distancing where possible.

Nah, its always been pretty "normal" to wear a mask and be socially distant in Japan.

Strange that I haven't seen an article bemoaning all the dreaded hikikomori in a while....

Seems silly and more like a reaction rather than a intelligent action.

Why are football players playing but not hugging? You have a hero fighting but all the clients (wearing masks) are suppossed to whisper about it?

Superheroes engaged in fights to the death with evil villains should also avoid whipping up support from spectators to prevent screams -- and potentially coronavirus-laden droplets -- from flying through the air.

Superheroes engaged in fights to the death with evil villains! Please tell me which theme park in Japan I can see this! Or does the writer mean show performers. The words he or she decided to use really makes me laugh.

Go to an amusement park, but you're not allowed to have fun!

Why don't you just keep them closed then?

Coronavirus “era” is it?

In a few months when it fails to get a mention on the tv everyone will forget about it. Pretty short “era”

All female passengers are wearing kimono. The picture must be last year, not now.

Am curious how they will enforce a "no-scream" rule.

How far can spit fly on a roller coaster-there has to be a study?

I would scream after contracting COVID 19 because I went to a Japanese amusement park. I think it is way to early to open anything that requires a lot of people being in the same place all squinched together. Is it not common sense to wait until the coast is clear?

Don’t play ball in the park, don’t play in the streets, don’t scream or make it look like you’re enjoying your rollercoaster ride. There goes yet, one more freedom in japan.

I’m surprised this was even allowed in the first place.

@Vince Black

Absolutely correct. As soon as it gets out of the media, everyone will forget.

I am not a big fan of amusement parks, so I don't how big is the impact for the visitors about wearing masks during screaming.

But if I compare it with Tokyo Disney, I don't want to see Mickey Mouse with a mask!

This is insane. If Kafka were alive today, he'd have to up his game.

Is it not common sense to wait until the coast is clear?

It is but as commonly relayed, it doesn't exist

Among the recommendations, thrill-seekers will be asked to wear masks at all times and "refrain from vocalizing loudly" on rollercoasters and other rides.

This is insanity at its highest point. In what kind of world of fear and anxiety are we going into here?

...Good news!!!!!

Fujikyu is open and went today with the family. Absolutely the best time ever to go there. No people, 0 minute queue to any ride. Social distancing no need as there were 10 people in the park.

coronavirus era

Nope. No "new normal." I am rebelling, and all normie tools going along with it can jump off a bridge (no screaming on the way down).

So if everyone is wearing a msak why not vocalize?

Ah, yes, social programming. Big brother says so.

If you can't say YEP,

say NOPE. - R. Crumb

What a pantomime..!

OK, so no screaming, at what point is a scream a scream? is it at XX Decibels? so how on earth are you going to enforce this silly rule? can you imagine it, right at the top of a roller coaster, some person screams on the way down, the ride finishes, the attendant says "right you two screamed, get off and dont come back", your banned from this ride. its almost as amusing as the roller coaster and the entertainment of going to the amusement park!! could this be the new normal?lets see who can get banned from an amusement ride?? hahahaha! who right these rules?, they should be on stage with a microphone.

I can't wait. Stand in even longer lines than normal for a ride that's over in a minute.

Wearing masks and quiet screaming into your mask,on a hot summer's day?

I have never paid attention but I wonder if they already make cold-type masks like they do with towels and blankets.

@kyushubill's comment below is best one on this article:

So if everyone is wearing a msak why not vocalize?

Ah, yes, social programming. Big brother says so.

A sharp drop in reported cases happens every weekend.

If you've already had the virus and recovered, seems like now would be a great time to visit all those normally busy places for some fun. Just think about ZERO lines to get on the most popular rides!

Folks need to remember the point of social distancing is to flatten the curve for hospital staff to be able to handle all the people. It won't stop the virus forever. That ship sailed in January.