Early this year, venues across the country made the tough decision to close their doors temporarily to the public in an attempt to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Japan. However, with the state of emergency finally lifted across all prefectures, companies have been hastily preparing for their reopenings and the welcoming back of all their patrons.

Universal Studios Japan was amongst one of the first theme parks in the country that shut down and has been closed since the 29th of February. But with the lift of the state of emergency, the park will be attempting to resume operations from the 19th of June, 2020. A sort of “fast track entrance” will be open to annual pass holders, with the park opening to them as a “soft opening” from the 8th of June to the 17th of June.

A number of measures have been taken in order to ensure the continued support of staff and customer’s health and safety. For example, the park will be open in phases and sanitation stations have been increased across the park. In addition, the park is covered by the OSAKA COVID-19 tracing system, whereby all guests will be asked to register for the system via QR code before entering the park.

There are some limits which have been placed on entrance to the park, which of course, is understandable as the company attempts to balance out the reopening of the park with population density control:

• The park will hold a “soft opening” from June 8 - June 18. This is open to annual pass holders residing in Osaka Prefecture only. From June 15th, Special Studio Passes will be available for residents of Osaka Prefecture. Advance registration and purchase is required of both passes.
• When the park resumes normal operations on June 19, entrance will be limited to those living in one of the 6 prefectures in the Kansai region and they must have an annual pass or studio pass with them.
• In order to keep social distancing measures in place, there may be a limit on the number of admitted guests. If the park reaches the limit, the entrance and ticket sales will be suspended. The park will provide up to date information about this on their official website and twitter account.
• Before entering the park, guests will need to register for the OSAKA COVID-19 Tracing System. Information regarding the system and a QR code for registration will be available at the park.

Universal Studios Japan will ask guests to submit a temperature check at the entrance gate, to wear face masks at all times inside the park, and to disinfect their hands as frequently as possible. Where possible, the park also asks guests to maintain social distancing practices.

The park asks those with a high fever, chills, cough, runny nose, fatigue, headache, a loss of sense of smell, diarrhea, and/or muscle aches to not come to the park.

Guests who have been in close contact with those who have tested positive for COVID-19, guests with family members who have a high risk of infection and those who have been to the countries on the government banned list within the last 14 days will be denied entry to the park.

These policies may seem strict, but they are essential if we want to get the world spinning again. Before we know it the doors will be open to us all.

Keep up to date with more Universal Studio Japan news by following their twitter feed.