Tokyo Tower to reopen with virus measures in place

May 28, 2020 | News On Japan

May 28, 2020 (NHK) - The operator of Tokyo Tower is making final preparations to welcome visitors again after more than a month of closure due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The operator decided to reopen the iconic landmark in the capital city on Thursday for the first time since April 8.

Before the reopening, the operator confirmed prevention measures against the coronavirus were in place and carried out drills to guide visitors on Wednesday.

The measures will ask visitors to take the staircase, consisting of about 600 steps, to reach the 150-meter-high main observation deck, located about halfway up the tower. Visitors will also be asked to be more than seven steps apart from each other.

The elderly and people with disabilities will be allowed to use the elevators.

In the drills, staff wearing a face shield confirmed the social distancing that requires visitors to stand on position markers at two-meter intervals in the elevators.

A woman who came to see Tokyo Tower said she is looking forward to a rare experience of using the stairs when she visits the tower.

The head of the operator, Higuchi Seiki, said the company is implementing measures that make the tour safe and fun. He added he hopes that the reopening of the tower will play a part in reviving tourism in Tokyo.

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