TOKYO – Japan's cherry blossoms are in full bloom, but flower viewing has come to an abrupt halt in Tokyo because of the coronavirus.
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike has repeatedly asked the city's 13 million residents to stay home this weekend, saying the capital is on the brink of an explosion in virus infections.
She warned of a possible hard shutdown of the city if the spread of the virus doesn't slow. On Friday evening, access was blocked to Ueno Park, a favorite spot for “hanami," or cherry blossom viewing.
Signs said “No parties” and “Danger no entry." The empty park was a sharp change from last weekend, when people came in droves after the central government announced an end to national school closures, leading many to think that the