New type pneumonia Affects various parts of Japan Cancellation of more than 700 people January 13 13:09
In China, group travel to overseas, including Japan, has been suspended for the time being on the 27th due to an increasing number of patients with pneumonia caused by the new coronavirus. As a result, the impact has begun to appear in various parts of Japan.
Over 700 tourist boat cancellations
Enjoying drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk in winter "Dorto Tourism Development" which operates "Aurora", a drift ice sightseeing boat in Abashiri City, Hokkaido, has reserved 5000 passengers from China from the 27th to March. About 700 people were canceled by the morning of the 27th.
"We are worried about how far the cancellation of about 700 people will go, because we have never experienced it before.
With the expectation that many tourists will come from China during the Chinese New Year, the impact will be significant. "
Also, the company that operates the drift ice sightseeing ship "Garinko" in Monbetsu has canceled 51 people by the 27th.
Measures are spreading
In the Bikan district of Kurashiki City in Okayama Prefecture, where many tourists from China visit, measures are being taken to prevent infection, such as by placing masks and disinfectants at tourist information centers.
Every year during the Chinese New Year and Chinese New Year holidays, many tourists visit the Bikan district in Kurashiki, where masks and disinfectants are installed at five locations, including train stations and tourist information centers in the city. You.
Local tourist associations also require that staff members wear masks to guide them, recommend tourists to disinfect their hands, and distribute masks if requested.
A Chinese woman from Shanghai said, "I'm not so affected in Shanghai, but I'm careful about wearing masks and disinfecting my hands."
"I would like to continue taking measures according to the situation," said Kuroshiki Kanko Convention Bureau Chief Yamashita Toshinori.
Meanwhile, a souvenir shop employee reported that the Chinese government would suspend group travel abroad for the time being from the 27th, saying that during the Chinese New Year, Chinese group customers felt less than last year. Some were worried about the decline.
Increased demand for masks and other drugs at drugstores
Drugstores are increasingly demanding products to prevent infections, such as masks and disinfectants.
At the mask sales corner in the store in the shopping district in Naka-ku, Hiroshima, many people came to purchase the mask, and the person in charge was busy replenishing the product.
Because high-performance products that are difficult to create gaps are selling well, the number of items that can be purchased at this store was limited to three per person.
At stores, Chinese tourists have been purchasing the Chinese New Year since the Chinese New Year holidays have started.
A 68-year-old woman from Hiroshima who bought a mask said, "I came to my mother to buy one. I want to prevent it well in case of emergency."
Daiki Tanaka, the sales headquarters of the company that operates the drugstore, said, "Sales are growing compared to the usual winter. I hope that the infection in Japan will not spread."