Is it OK to travel to Tokyo? Should I refrain from doing it?

Is it OK to travel to Tokyo? Should I refrain from doing it? July 21, 22:20

Play in the sea, take a hot spring, and relax at home. The new coronavirus is shaking the plan for such a summer vacation. Responses such as "travel is too early" and "travel is not denied". What should I do during this summer vacation?
(Akihiko Kanno, Daichi Takahashi, Reporter, Network News Department)

Go To Abandon in Tokyo Exclusion

"Go To Travel" begins with the discounts on Tokyo as new coronavirus infections continue. On SNS, many tweets have been posted that the trip was canceled.

"Since I am a citizen of Tokyo, I canceled the trip to Okinawa that I had booked since March."

"I had planned to stay at a luxury hotel in Tokyo with my family, but I canceled. I will give up this summer and spend no plan."

The impact seems to be spreading not only to people living in Tokyo but also to people who were thinking of traveling to Tokyo.

Among them, "I'm told that cancellation costs 30,000, Tokyo residents should not go out of Tokyo as much as possible, Go To is removed. Somehow my heart breaks..." I was able to hear.

Men did not make a trip using "Go To Travel" but made a reservation for an airplane to return home to their parents during summer vacation.

However, there are no infected people in the area where the parents' home is located, and there is a concern that they may become the source of infection or become infected by traveling, so they gave up their homecoming.

Actually, he is the one who canceled a cottage in Nagano prefecture, which a reporter living in Tokyo also booked.

I made a reservation in late June. I thought, "If there are few opportunities to interact with other people," I chose a place where my family could stay.

At that time, the daily number of infected people in Tokyo did not exceed 50.

However, when the number of infected people exceeded 100 for a long time, and I was thinking that "this is no good", I decided to cancel "Go To Travel" because it was excluded from Tokyo.

I hung up at the cottage saying, "I was looking forward to my child and I will definitely go again."

Some people say "travel!"

On the other hand, there is also an opinion of a person who says "I will travel" even if they are excluded from the campaign.

"I will go on a trip even if Tokyo is excluded."

"I'm a citizen of Tokyo, but I'm going to travel to rural areas. I've finished planning and paying. The campaign doesn't matter."

"I am a citizen of Tokyo and take measures within the scope of common sense and go on a trip in style."

We talked to a man in the office worker (30s) in Tokyo who was actually planning a trip. Men say that every summer they travel with their families to Okinawa and other places.

When asked about the exclusion of Tokyo in "Go To Travel," he said, "I don't really care. It's attractive that travel costs are cheap, but it's the same as usual, so Tokyo is excluded. I was thinking of going on a trip with or without it."

Considering the current infection situation, the man changed the schedule to a short trip within a private car range in August and an outing trip in September.

Regarding the anxiety about infection, on the other hand, it can be said that there is no doubt, but since both parents and children have been self-restrained for a long time, I think it is important to release stress from traveling and drop money at tourist destinations. He said, "I would like to wear a mask while moving and avoid 3 crowds while traveling, and take proper measures according to the local instructions."

Travel and Tourism Agency of Tokyo residents

I asked the Japan Tourism Agency about the trip of Tokyo residents.

The person in charge replied, "I have not denied that the trip itself should be taken after taking measures against infection."

However, the fact that Tokyo was excluded from the campaign sounded like saying that it should not be traveled, and somehow it left me confused.

When I questioned that question, he answered, "That's right..." after a while.

A person in charge of the Japan Tourism Agency said,
“I have not denied travel itself, but in light of the infection situation in Tokyo and the views of the government's study group, it will be a decision to defer to the point where it activates the movement of people from Tokyo. It was.''

An answer that highlights the difficulty of deciding where to draw the line.

The point is that it is not possible to actively recommend travel for the people of Tokyo, but it is said that they will not restrict travel by individual judgment in order to activate the tourism industry where demand has dropped.

However, the person in charge calls for thorough measures to prevent infection even when traveling.

On the other hand, Tokyo is urging the citizens to refrain from going out unnecessarily and urgently even if they have no symptoms.

Can i go Customers also worry

On the other hand, how do inns and hotels that accept tourists perceive this situation?

We asked Shingo Sugiyama, Senior Managing Director of "Washintei Hogetsu," a hot spring inn in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, where many guests come from Tokyo.

This inn means that cancellations of guests from Tokyo have continued since Tokyo was removed from the campaign.

However, as the number of reservations for users in the prefecture, especially repeaters, is increasing, I think that there may be many customers who want to go from a nearby location.

Under such circumstances, Mr. Sugiyama is worried about customer inquiries from Tokyo.

Shingo Sugiyama, Senior Managing Director, Onsen Ryokan "
Washintei Hougetsu" "The most unpleasant thing to do is contact me, "I want to go regardless of Go To, but is it okay to go?" It's not the case, so I said, “If it's convenient for you.” However, the journey is originally “a fun thing.” If you think “I can't enjoy it now,” don't force yourself. I'd like you to come again when the time comes. We will make preparations for infection control so that you can come anytime."

What is important is “physical condition management” and “3 dense avoidance”

We asked Dr. Yasutaka Mizuno of Global Healthcare Clinic, who is familiar with infectious diseases, about precautions when traveling.

First of all, regarding the risk of moving, "If you take measures such as wearing a mask and not talking loudly, you can say that the risk of infection due to moving is quite low. Ventilation is also possible on airplanes and Shinkansen, Unless there's someone who intentionally coughs without a mask, it's hard to think of an outbreak."

After that, it is important to thoroughly wash your hands after using them if you touch common areas such as the bullet train or toilets of airplanes.

Next, I asked about points to note when traveling.

Dr. Yasutaka Mizuno
“3. It is important to avoid crowds . You should not go to night shops that are entertaining or make loud noises at restaurants. When using a large public bath, etc. It is necessary to refrain from talking because it tends to be dense in the changing room.''

Finally, I point out that it is important to manage your physical condition before traveling.

Dr. Yasutaka Mizuno
“There may be some people who think that it is a summer vacation and they are trying to travel even if they are in poor physical condition, but if they are in poor physical condition, they should weigh themselves. Is excluded from the message that it does not spread the infection rather than the infection.I think that people who have no physical condition do not need to be self-restraint enough to make family trips, but people around I would like you to take thorough measures with the first priority being to prevent infection.''