Starting from May 8, more companies in Japan's service industry plan to let their employees go maskless at work. This follows the government's decision to downgrade COVID-19 to a less-severe Category 5 under the infection diseases prevention law. The shift in anti-virus mask policies at these companies reflects the rising desire in the industry to return to pre-pandemic normality.
While some companies will maintain their mask-wearing mandates
out of "consideration for customers," they appear to be in the minority.
For example, employees of Hoshino Resort Co., a Nagano Prefecture-based
operator of inns and hotels, will stop wearing masks at work on May 8. The
company believes that it's important for the tourism industry that staff greet
guests with a smile to communicate a welcoming feeling.
So far, Hoshino Resort's mask rules have been situation-based,
such as whether staff members are indoors or outdoors or in direct contact with
customers. According to the Japan Hotel Association, which counts 244 hotels across
the nation as members, an overwhelming majority of accommodation companies have
required their employees to wear masks, even after March 13, for such reasons
as "consideration for guests who are concerned about infections."
The tourism industry is finally recovering from the impact of
the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of domestic travelers has almost returned to
pre-pandemic levels, while foreign visitor numbers have recovered to around 70%
of figures before the novel coronavirus spread around the world in 2020. With
the further lifting of border controls late last month, more foreign visitors
are expected to arrive in Japan. Many in the industry hope the
"unmasking" trend will further drive up demand for travel.
Businesses in the retail and banking sectors are also following
the same trend concerning masks. Three major convenience store
chains--Seven-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart--will leave it to individual staff
members to decide whether to wear masks at work from May 8. The companies will
also allow each store to decide what to do with spittle-blocking partitions
placed at cash registers. MUFG Bank Ltd. will allow counter clerks at its
branches to decide whether they will wear masks. Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.
has left the mask decision to individual employees, except for counter clerks
at its branches, since March. The choice will be available for all employees at
the megabank starting on May 8.
However, department store chains are not so united on mask
policy. Both Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores Co. and Isetan Mitsukoshi
Holdings Ltd. will let individual employees decide on whether to use the
protective facewear. Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings will also remove acrylic boards
and infrared thermography scanners to measure body temperatures from its
stores. But Takashimaya Co. will continue to require employees to wear masks
for the time being to ensure customers feel safe.
In the rail industry, Hokkaido Railway Co., East Japan Railway
Co., Central Japan Railway Co., West Japan Railway Co., and Kyushu Railway Co.
will allow train crew to decide whether to wear masks at work or not. In
contrast, Shikoku Railway Co.'s train crew and station attendants will still be
required to wear masks, in principle.
The change in mask policy is seen as a welcome development for
businesses in the service industry, as it indicates a return to normalcy.
Customers are more likely to engage with employees who are not wearing masks,
as it communicates a welcoming feeling. While some businesses will maintain
their mask-wearing mandates, the majority are expected to follow the new
guidelines from the government.
As the world slowly but surely emerges from the grips of the
COVID-19 pandemic, the question remains: what will our new normal look like?
Will we return to our old ways, or will we continue to implement new measures
to keep ourselves and others safe? With Japan's service industry leading the
way in "unmasking," it's clear that businesses are eager to return to
pre-pandemic normality. But what about customers? Will they feel comfortable in
maskless environments, or will they continue to wear masks as a precaution?
Only time will tell as we navigate this new era of post-pandemic life.
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