Coronavirus takes bloom off Tokyo’s cherry blossom festivities

The Tokyo government said parks where the cherry trees are in bloom would be open, but that no partying would be allowed beneath the trees

The edict is in line with the city’s coronavirus state of emergency, which was extended on Saturday for another two weeks

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Tokyo residents wearing face masks take in the sights of cherry blossoms at Ueno Park. Photo: Kyodo

Published: 4:00pm, 9 Mar 2021Updated: 4:22pm, 9 Mar 2021

Instead of tarpaulins being laid out in the parks of Tokyo in anticipation of the arrival of the first cherry blossoms, crash barriers are being erected with signs warning that the annual revelries are prohibited as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has announced that parks that are usually the focus of springtime celebrations throughout the city are open for people to walk through, but there will be no partying beneath the blossoms this year.

Workmen were putting up fencing and signs at Ueno Park on Tuesday, with a message on the metropolitan government’s website stating that “In order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus infection, eating and drinking on sheets spread out is prohibited during the cherry blossom season.

“Even if you look at the cherry blossoms while walking, please take measures to prevent infection, such as wearing a mask and avoiding congestion,” it added. “We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding and cooperation.”

Despite a decline in the number of new infections and the roll-out – albeit slowly – of the nationwide vaccination programme, the Japanese government on Saturday extended the state of emergency for Tokyo and the three surrounding prefectures for a further two weeks.

There were 116 new cases of the virus reported in Tokyo on Monday, down from 237 the previous day and from an average of nearly 393 cases per day for the month of February. The single-day high in Tokyo was recorded on January 7, with 2,447 cases.

A number of the capital’s most popular parks, including Shinjuku Gyoen, Hamarikyu Gardens and Rikugien, have been closed to the public since the state of emergency was declared, but other green spaces that are subject to the ban on celebrations include Yoyogi Park, Hibiya Park and Inokashira Park.