Bar installs fish bowl-like screens in Japan to lure back virus-wary customers | Trending - Hindustan Times
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Bar installs fish bowl-like screens in Japan to lure back virus-wary customers

Tokyo | ByReuters | Posted By: Trisha Sengupta
Aug 21, 2020 10:08 AM IST

The conical and clear acrylic screens hang from the ceiling and envelop the customers’ head and shoulders.

A bar in Tokyo’s upscale Ginza district has installed fish bowl-like screens designed to protect against coronavirus transmission, aiming to lure back clients worried about the risks of COVID-19.

A goldfish bowl-like acrylic screen used as part of new social distancing measures.(REUTERS)
A goldfish bowl-like acrylic screen used as part of new social distancing measures.(REUTERS)

The Jazz Lounge En Counter bar reopened in late June, having shut down for several weeks after the government declared a nationwide state of emergency in April.

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But with revenues down 70% to 80% compared with pre-pandemic levels, the bar decided to step up efforts to ensure customers feel safer.

Customers are seen sitting with their heads inside the goldfish bowl-like acrylic screens. (REUTERS)
Customers are seen sitting with their heads inside the goldfish bowl-like acrylic screens. (REUTERS)

“If we don’t take firm steps we wouldn’t be responding to customers’ requests. And they wouldn’t visit us because they’re worried,” said manager Katsutoshi Iwazaki.

Customers enjoy themselves while sitting inside the screen. (REUTERS)
Customers enjoy themselves while sitting inside the screen. (REUTERS)

The conical, clear acrylic screens - which were demonstrated to Reuters by bar staff on a recent visit - hang from the ceiling and envelop the customers’ head and shoulders, acting as a barrier between them and other drinkers, as well as servers. Employees said they, too, felt more protected.

Both customers and staff are seen with the the goldfish bowl-like acrylic screens. (REUTERS)
Both customers and staff are seen with the the goldfish bowl-like acrylic screens. (REUTERS)

“I can’t talk to them (customers) safely if there’s a risk of droplet infection. But I feel very safe now with this measure,” said 27 year-old staff member Mako Aoki.

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