Universal Studios Japan is reopening later this month from June 8 for the first time since its closure in March over the global outbreak of COVID-19.
USJ will reopen on June 8 to annual ticket holders who are residents of Osaka Prefecture. It will gradually lift restrictions, allowing all Osaka Prefecture residents entry from June 15.
It will then reopen to residents of the wider Kinki region also covering Kyoto, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama and Shiga prefectures from June 19.
Japan lifted its state of emergency on Osaka Prefecture and nearby regions on May 21. This followed a sustained decline in coronavirus infections.
USJ opening first to residents of Osaka Prefecture
USJ says visitors must wear face masks on theme park grounds at all times. They are responsible for providing their own face coverings, and USJ reserves the right to refuse admission to guests who don’t follow the face covering guidelines.
Guests will also have their temperatures checked before entry, and will need to follow social distancing rules on rides and attractions.
In the queue for each attraction, every other row will be left open. Visitors will be encouraged to sanitise their hands before entering shops and restaurants.
USJ is also enhancing its sanitation practices, and will be placing alcohol-based hand sanitiser at all attractions.
Enhanced sanitation and mandatory face masks
Guests will be seated in every other row at indoor theatre attractions, which feature air circulation equipment to provide ventilation.
According to USJ, character meet and greets, as well as stage and street shows, may be cancelled or modified in response to COVID-19.
As for Tokyo Disney Resort, Oriental Land is extending the closure of Tokyo Disneyland while it considers the government’s lifting of restrictions.
Meanwhile, Japanese theme park associations have released new guidelines to prevent the spread of coronavirus upon reopening, also suggesting a ‘no screaming’ rule on roller coasters.
