Covid rules eased; people still wear masks： March 15-16, 2023

 

Japan on March 13 withdrew its request for the people to wear masks when they go out. The request was issued just after the outbreak of Covid 19 in 2020. Now, people are free to decide whether or not to wear masks.

The country also decided to downgrade the legal status of the Covid-19 from “Class 2” to “Class 5.” Class 5 is a category applied for seasonal influenza.

The easing is a move to follow the trends in European countries, U.S. and some other countries.

I visited several places in Tokyo after the request on masks was got rid of. I found that most people still wore masks.

Almost all people were with masks at the Godzilla street in Shinjuku. (See the top photo). The left photo was taken at Shinjuku Station.

 

The situation is similar at Tokyo Station. I found people wearing masks at the ticket gates (the 2nd photo), in front of the station building (3rd from the top), and in the main entrance (left).

 

This is a scene in Yasukuni Shrine.

 

There are, of course, some changes. People are allowed to root for favorite teams, instead of just to silently watch the games, in the sport matches.

Many people tooted for the Japanese team in the World Baseball Classic games held in Tokyo this week. 

The left photo was taken just before the game between Japan and Italy on March 16.

Most people were with masks outside the dome when they were waiting to enter (See the p2nd photo).  

More people visit restaurants and drinking bars.

With easing the rules, Japan entered into the “with-covid” era. People’s lives are changing gradually.