Rollercoaster riders told not to scream at reopened Japanese theme parks

Screaming, shouting and yelling are to be prohibited on Japanese rollercoasters according to new COVID-19 health and safety guidelines developed by the nation’s theme park bodies.

With the country’s theme parks reopening as part of post-Coronavirus easing measures, COVIDSafe guidelines developed by the East Japan and West Japan Theme Park Associations require rollercoaster riders to wear protective face masks and to refrain from shouting or screaming while riding.

The industry organisations’ Guidelines to Prevent the Spread of Infection of the Novel Coronavirus also apply to indoor attractions and shows.

The restrictions are based on concerns that microscopic droplets of saliva released from riders’ mouths when they let loose a scream could see the airborne particles could fly on other riders in the rear seats.

Membership of the Associations, includes major theme parks such as Tokyo Disneyland, Universal Studios Japan, Fuji-Q Highland and Nagashima Spa Land which operate some of the tallest, longest and fastest rides in the world.

The impending reopening of the nation’s major attractions will see Universal Studios Japan is reopen tomorrow (8th June) for the first time since its closure in March over the global outbreak of COVID-19.

Tomorrow’s opening will be for annual ticket holders who are residents of Osaka Prefecture, with all Osaka Prefecture residents allowed entry from 15th June.

Entry will be conditional of visitors wearing face masks at all times.

Guests will be seated in every other row at indoor theatre attractions, which feature air circulation equipment to provide ventilation.

At Tokyo Disney Resort, Oriental Land is extending the closure of Tokyo Disneyland while it considers the government’s lifting of restrictions.

Image: Steel Dragon 2000 at Nagashima Spa Land. Courtesy of Nagashima Spa Land.