Over 70% of people in Tokyo plan to keep wearing masks

More than 70% of people in Tokyo plan to keep wearing masks even after Japan downgrades the status of COVID 19 to the same level as seasonal influenza on May 8, according to a poll by the metropolitan government.

The February 15 -- 21 internet-based survey on coronavirus measures received responses from 10,429 randomly selected Tokyo residents aged between 20 s and 70 s, taking into account the population ratio by age.

According to the poll, 71.3% plan to keep wearing masks after the coronaviruses have been downgraded to Class 5 under Japan's infectious disease control law. An expert on the survey said that a majority of Tokyoites won't let their guard down at once, and intend to keep taking certain measures. Other prevention measures that respondents said they will continue after the downgrade included with multiple answers permitted thoroughly washing their hands at 75.6% - the most common answer - followed by using disinfectants 56.8% to keep rooms ventilated 50.4% avoiding the Three Cs or crowded places, close spaces and close-contact settings 48.1% preventing coronaviruses, while some 40% said it's to prevent hay fever allergies.

The poll also asked which measures people think should be ended. The results show that 38.6% believe people don't need to wear masks at school graduation and entrance ceremonies, while 36.9% say mask-wearing during class at elementary and junior high schools. Other answers included silent dining where people eat without talking 35% of the ban on hand dryers in bathrooms 29.7% and 29.1% not allowing customers to sit facing each other at restaurants 25.2% body temperature checks at buffets 21.6% and leaving spaces between seats in stores and benches 20.3% People were also asked where they think mask-wearing should continue. 39.5% of elderly care facilities gave an answer inside of the facility. These results require our attention. According to Yumiko Nara, professor at the Open University of Japan's Faculty of Liberal Arts, mask-wearing should still be recommended in places such as medical and elderly facilities to protect those at high risk of serious illness from infection.