Major Japanese theme parks ask guests not to scream on rollercoasters

Yamanashi: The most popular
By Alexandra Coulton


As the world begins to reopen, tourism operators have been busy rolling out new and creative ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

One particular measure that has caught our attention is the lengths a group of major Japanese theme parks has gone to by imposing a “no screaming” rule on rollercoasters.

Japan lifted its state of emergency at the end of last month, prompting East and West Japan Theme Park Associations, which is made up of 30 major amusement parks including Tokyo Disneyland, DisneySea and Universal Studios Japan, to change its health and safety guidelines.

Many of these guidelines are fairly stock-standard, like increased sanitising measures and body temperature tests as well as wearing face masks and social distancing, but according to CNN, the association is also asking visitors riding outdoors attractions, including rollercoasters, to wear masks and refrain from shouting and screaming.

We’re not 100 per cent sure how that would work, considering most of the screaming people do on those rides are involuntary.

The guidelines also note that some of the restrictions may prove difficult for employees, predicting masks may compromise customer service.

“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,” one of the suggestions notes.

The news comes as Japan mulls opening its borders to a small number of countries, including Australia.

According to 7 News, the country is considering allowing business travellers from Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, and New Zealand to visit in the next few months, based on their low infection levels.

Featured image credit: iStock/sleepyz

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