The new rule comes into force in the rill seekers in the Japanese theme parks. Operators ask thrill-seekers not to scream and be serious while enjoying the ride, JapanTimes reported.
With Japan relaxing the state of emergency this week, a group of major theme park operators has introduced a guideline on how to avoid COVID-19 spreading. Both guests and staff will be safer if people won’t scream.
For theme parks visitors, the sanitising measures will be increased. Among them, regular body temperature checks and face mask use while emphasising the importance of social distancing.
However, one new rule was really unexpected. In post-COVID times, theme parks encourage visitors riding outdoor attractions, including roller coasters, to avoid shouting or cheering — a tough ask, given how wild some of the country’s rides are.
In fact, COVID has changed the theme parks a lot. For example, it’s difficult for some employees to wear masks due to the nature of their work — for example entertainers, such as haunted house staff — they should keep at least one metre away from visitors.
Customer service may also be compromised, note the guidelines, as conversations should be kept as short as possible.
“As a new style of customer service, even when you’re wearing a mask, you can use a combination of smiley eyes, hand gestures, etc., to communicate with visitors,” says one of the suggestions.
Theme parks in Japan are reopening one by one
Following the lifting of some restrictions, the theme parks reopen this week. The post-COVID guidelines were issued by the East and West Japan Theme Park Associations, which are made up of more than 30 major amusement park operators in Japan.
Aside from the published guidelines, some amusement parks have implemented their own, additional, rules.
Fuji-Q Highland, a theme park at the foot of Fuji Mountain that’s famous for its haunted house experience, is only opening its outdoor attractions and only allowing entry to visitors living in Yamanashi, Nagano, Niigata and Shizuoka prefectures.
