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Sakuramachi 1-chome entertainment district where neon disappeared with no traffic = both in Tsuchiura city
Sakuramachi, Tsuchiura City, the largest entertainment district in Ibaraki prefecture, is suffering from the new corona virus. Since the beginning of November, infected people were found one after another in the stores where women serve customers, and clusters (group of infected people) also occurred. While more stores are closed due to the spread of the infection, some stores continue to operate to make up for the decline in sales. I walked around Sakuramachi 1-2chome, the source of the earthquake, and heard the voices of the surrounding citizens. (Yoshi Hayashi)
When the sun goes down, the area where the blinds are lined with cabaret clubs and pubs sinks into darkness, and there is hardly any traffic.
◆ Suffering business self-control
The “Sakuramachi Restaurant Promotion Council”, which has 36 stores, including cabaret stores in the area, held a town hall meeting on the 17th and declared that it would refrain from operating until the 30th. It is said that there are around than 240 stores like Soapland plus cabaret clubs at Sakuramachi 1 and 2-chome, and more than 50 stores are said to have been temporarily closed, including those that are synchronized.
A 30-year-old male manager of the cabaret store looked up at the second store, which was under construction, and threw it down saying, “It’s just stunning.” The store opening has been postponed due to the crown, and the first store is also closed in response to a call from the city council.
However, even during vacation, female employees must be paid. “If I quit now, I can’t reopen the store.” We will try to regain self-control on December 1, but the risk of infection will not go away.
A sign from a cabaret shop informing customers about self-control.
◆ “What’s wrong with this …”
According to the prefecture, as of the morning of the 26th, there were 66 infected people in Sakuramachi 1 and 2-chome, and clusters occurred in 4 stores. The number of intensive inspections in the district has exceeded 900.
Kazuyuki Mogi (39), vice president of the council, told the meeting: “I was confident (in preventing infections), but I didn’t think it would be that bad. I thought it was just a fire on the opposite bank.” Fallen. In the future, he says he will consider wearing a face shield for business.
◆ Neon in Soapland Town, where the number of customers is reduced
On the other hand, some stores continue to operate.
A 48-year-old tavern clerk in Sakuramachi 1-chome sneers, “It looks like a ghost town.” After closing the store for half a year starting in April due to Corona’s influence, it just recently reopened. At the moment of “Now, from now on”, Corona hit me again.
All the employees underwent a PCR test, and after receiving advice on infection prevention from a doctor in a university hospital, who is a regular customer, the store was opened, but there are about 1 to 4 customer groups at the day. The salary has been cut by more than half. “If you say the infection is scary, it’s scary,” he said, showing a delicate position to receive customers.
Neon glows conspicuously on Soapland Street, which occupies a corner of Sakuramachi 2-chome.
The store manager (29), who was talking to passersby, said: “The number of customers is less than half that of the new Corona. In terms of management, we will continue to operate. There is no request for closure.”
◆ Registered as “Amabie-chan”
Registered in the prefectural unique system “Ibaraki Amabier-chan” that shows efforts to prevent infection and notifies users when an infected person occurs. A certificate is also displayed in the store showing that the interior of the store has been disinfected. “If we suddenly close the store, we’ll be wondering if something happened,” he smiles.
A 31-year-old woman who visited the city hall and is in charge of medical affairs said: “Some elementary schools have been closed due to the infection of a child whose mother works in Sakuramachi. What worries me most is that my son will be infected. I have to squeeze it, “he said.
A housewife (61) who was returning home after walking in front of the JR Tsuchiura station recently moved to the city. Tsuchiura is under the impression that there are many restaurants and the spread of the infection is “as much as possible”. However, he said, “Anyone can test positive if tested. It’s not just about Sakuramachi,” he said. “I will continue to do what I can to prevent infection.”
◇ Cluster in the city of Tsuchiura
“Pub HEAT” (Sakuramachi 1)
“Pub HEAT II” (Sakuramachi 1)
“LotuS” (Sakuramachi 2)
“Pub Shine” (Sakuramachi 1)
“Verni” (Kandatsu Chuo 2)
City Hall (Yamato City)
Office of Welfare Services for People with Disabilities
Office (location and industry undisclosed)
* After the announcement in November from the prefecture.
