Heavy snow and COVID-19 crimp Brand-new Year celebrations in Japan
31 December, 2020
Scores of flights were cancelled seeing as heavy snowfall reach several regions of Japan on Thursday (Dec 31), even though New Year's Eve celebrations were curtailed while the country tackles a good third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Japanese Primary Minister Yoshihide Suga has urged persons to celebrate New Year quietly, and avoid non-necessary outings, amid the twin crises.
Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways cancelled or planned to cancel a total of around 140 flights, consumer broadcaster NHK reported, adding a bullet coach had suspended services in some elements of the northern Yamagata prefecture.
A 70-year-old gentleman died in the northern Iwate prefecture after he apparently fell into a river while trying to change present with a shovel loader equipment, NHK said.
Japan has been battling a good third wave of COVID-19 infections in latest weeks and on Mon started barring the access of non-resident foreign nationals after detecting variants of the virus from Britain and South Africa.
Japanese Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said over Wednesday the government may have to consider declaring circumstances of emergency if the quantity the COVID-19 circumstances grow.
Japan's Imperial Household Firm has cancelled an total annual New Year's function set for Jan 2, of which Emperor Naruhito and other imperial family members were because of greet well wishers.
Folks have been asked to stagger appointments to shrines, traditionally popular places above New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
In Tokyo, where in fact the governor has warned of a potential explosion in COVID-19 cases amid record daily increases, extra train services will be suspended from later Dec 31 to Jan 1.
About 3,400 persons have died in Japan from around 231,000 cases during the pandemic so far.
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