Society

Guidelines on nightlife business operators unveiled to stem coronavirus spread

Jun 14 (Kyodo) - Operators of nightlife establishments will have to keep a record of their customers' names and contact information and ensure social distancing rules as part of measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus, according to guidelines released by the government on Saturday.

The guidelines on such establishments as so-called host clubs where women pay to talk to male employees over drinks and snacks come as new infections in Tokyo are being traced to such places. The new rules were also made public before nightclubs and similar entertainment establishments reopen from June 19.

Economy minister Yasutoshi Nishimura urged the businesses to reopen by taking proper countermeasures against COVID-19. "It's an effort to protect the lives of employees and customers," he told a press conference.

Nishimura made the guidelines public as the government is trying to strike a balance between reopening businesses and preventing a second wave of infections, with some of the recent new infections being traced to nightlife establishments.

Following a downward trend in the number of new COVID-19 cases, the state of emergency declaration was fully lifted on May 25. But new cases have increased to double digits in June.

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