TOKYO (Asia) – Japan is now back to work keeping in mind coronavirus restrictions but its crowded ‘moshpit’ trains raise concerns about a resurgence of coronavirus infections.
Tokyo authorities hoped to solve crowded commuting with staggered hours and remote working. However, the trains seemed almost back to normal from Thursday, not long after the coronavirus emergency had been lifted.
Health experts and politicians pointed their fingers at nightspots and concert venues for cultivating coronavirus infection clusters and have advised them to remain closed.
No coronavirus cases have been linked to trains so far, but many Tokyo residents claim that they are just as packed as nightclubs.
“It’s such a contradiction that crowded trains are OK but live houses still can’t open.”
“Crowded trains are like a music festival. They’re a festival mosh pit.”
– Tokyo residents took to their Twitter to say
On Tuesday, Tokyo recorded 34 new infections marking the highest daily increase since early May.
The Tokyo Metro subway is using open carriage windows and the disinfecting of ticket machines to control the spread of COVID-19. However, there are no plans to limit the numbers of passengers or to enforce spacing.
(Photo syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.