Tokyo Sets Conditions For Serving Alcohol
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has decided to allow bars and restaurants to serve alcohol under certain conditions from Monday.
The move comes as the coronavirus state of emergency is to end on Sunday and be replaced by less stringent restrictions in the capital.
The metropolitan government continues to ask bars and restaurants to close at 8 p.m., but allows them to take orders for alcoholic drinks between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Customers who want to drink will be asked to visit such establishments alone or with at most one person, and allowed to stay up to 90 minutes.
Each business needs to appoint a "coronavirus response leader" who will be registered and receive training.
Tokyo officials say they will ask the establishments to stop serving alcohol if the infection situation worsens.
The measures will be implemented in Tokyo's central 23 wards and much of the western Tama area.
Businesses that serve alcohol were asked to close temporarily since the current state of emergency began on April 25.
As for department stores and other large commercial venues, the metropolitan government will lift restrictions on weekend closures.