Do you think hanami (cherry blossom viewing) gatherings in parks should be discouraged in order to lessen the spread of the coronavirus infections?

The risk of outside transmission is very small.

S.I.

2020hindsights.

im sure governments would find a way to prolong it, you know, a new variant here and there "against which the vaccin isnt quite effective..."

That makes absolutely no sense. Why would the government prolong it? That helps nobody.

2020hindsights.

im sure governments would find a way to prolong it, you know, a new variant here and there "against which the vaccin isnt quite effective..."

"just hold on a bit more, we are so close, you can do it, keep at it, we havent come all this way for nothing..."

Only cancel it if the olympics are cancelled too, if the olympics are going ahead then so should everything else.

It can be done if people wear masks and practice social distancing.

S.I.

no. where does it end?

enough of all of this.

It ends after everyone gets vaccinated.

no. where does it end?

enough of all of this.

Guys, come on... we all know that cherry blossom viewing is part of the unique Japanese culture, and the virus will respect that. As, wasn't it Koike?, said last year, it is unfathomable to expect people not to engage in hanami parties.

The trains are crowded. Supermarkets & stores are crowded which are all "indoors" Hanami is "outdoors" & is much needed for the health & well being of the people to get out & enjoy nature a bit. Get out there & enjoy, but do it responsibly.

Absolutely yes, since visitors often get drunk making loud voice, which spreads the virus. Also, they tend to have conversation facing each other as they often sit on the plastic carpet under the cherry blossoms. Japanese traditional events such as Hanami sometimes make it difficult to keep social distance between people.

When I hear the 3 pm beep on the tv and see how fabulous the numbers are, why stop Hanami? Why stop the Olympics?

I would definitely go to a huge politician organized Hanami party. I want to shake hands with bureaurorats!

No!

...but keep social distance or look for nice Sakura places which are not so crowded like Ueno Park or so.

I did that last year!

Another example in Japan of "tradition" butting heads against "common sense".

Tradition ALWAYS wins!

Shut it Down!!!!! Clearly hanami is massively high risk while transport and taxis and shops and so many other basic services are not. Hanami is a frivolous activity that takes place out doors and forces total strangers to mingle and share the same space. While drinking and smoking and not wearing masks at all times. As we have learned by now, the only way to control the virus is to stop doing as much as we can. Shut it Down!!

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of course not.

if people can go out for shopping and to work ( while following safety directives) - - what is different about going for Hanami ????

. . .which BTW has a therapeutic value ( so desperately needed in these times.)

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Most people are just viewing cans of alcohol at hanami, not the flowers. They can still do that at home or "view" cherry blossoms on the net or on the morning, afternoon, evening or midnight newscasts.

Yes. No brainier!

No viewing, save lives.

I voted yes, but will be drinking beer and/or wine in the park as I do on a regular basis.

Outdoor transmission of the virus has been so rare that the risk from hanami is fleetingly small. 

While that's true, the real danger is a group of people sitting right next to each other on the same blue sheet, while sharing and picking snacks from the same plates. Then getting tipsy and start hugging others.

If was just walking around and enjoying the flowers, then it shouldn't be a problem.

Yes.

And it'll be nice to see the parks without blue plastic, bbq and drunk people.

Go back a year and you'll find the answer to that question.

Outdoor transmission of the virus has been so rare that the risk from hanami is fleetingly small. The well-documented vitamin D benefits everyone will gain from being outdoors will far outweigh whatever tiny risk there is of outdoor transmission.

I am far more afraid of the used masks on the ground everywhere.

Yes and no, actually.

If you're going to socially distance and enjoy a stroll around, appreciating nature's work? Have fun.

Putting down the tarps/blankets next to complete strangers and getting trashed at a hanami location? Discouraged.

I agree with everyone (at least the first 6 commenters). It should not be banned but delayed. This also goes for the festivals that are publicly held. It’s sad but it’s not worth jeopardizing people’s health.

Discouraged, yes, but not banned outright as that would make things difficult to enforce and erode trust in the system. Maybe even establish some safety guidelines,No.1 on the list being "Take a rain check".

Yes.

It's sad to miss the annual event, but the cherry blossoms will always be there.

We might not be. Especially when we risk our health with large gatherings.

Why is this still a question, one year into the pandemic, when vaccination hasn't even started here?

I voted yes to discouraging, but only because there will be people who insist on large mixed groups in very crowded parks.

If the place is not crowded and visitors stick to meeting people they are already in contact with, it should be fine. There is nothing stopping the same people meeting in a restaurant where transmission would be much more likely due to poor ventilation.

At least do it out of respect for the people whos lost their lives for the virus.

Yes OR just ask people to do it with family members or with people they associate with on a daily basis without masks.