Guidelines for the Prevention of COVID-19
Find out what guidelines are in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Okinawa
Many industries and businesses have updated their operating and safety protocols in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Below are some of the key ways industries have adapted to help ensure visitors have a safe and memorable visit to Okinawa.
Airport
At the Airport
- Markers are placed on the floor at check-in counters, self-service check-in machines, bag drop counters, and other queueing areas to ensure proper social distancing is maintained.
- Passengers are encouraged to check-in before arrival, and to use non-contact check-in at the automatic check-in counters and baggage check machines to reduce queues.
- Passengers are kindly requested to wear masks at all times.
- Employees are required to disinfect equipment and surfaces in public areas. They are also required to wear masks and gloves.
- Alcohol disinfectant and hand sanitizer are installed at terminal entrances and other locations.
- Physical distancing measures are in place throughout the airport.
- Indoor spaces are well ventilated. Entry into poorly ventilated areas is prohibited.
For more information on airport regulations, consult the guidelines for preventing the spread of new coronavirus infections in the aviation field [PDF: 452KB] (*only in Japanese).
Transportation
Buses
- Eating and drinking is prohibited while on board.
- Buses are ventilated using air conditioning systems and open windows (when weather allows).
- Employees are required to wear masks and gloves.
- Bus interiors are regularly disinfected.
- Seating may be restricted to ensure proper social distancing.
- Protective screens may be installed to separate drivers from passengers.
- Buses may be equipped with hand sanitizer for passengers to use while boarding.
- Passengers are kindly requested to maintain proper social distance while queueing to board or when inside a terminal building.
- Passengers are kindly requested to use IC cards like Okica to make boarding and disembarking quicker, and contact free.
For more information on bus regulations, consult the guidelines for Prevention of Coronavirus Infection on Buses (6th Edition) [PDF: 363KB] (*only in Japanese).
Taxis
- Surfaces inside taxis are regularly disinfected.
- Protective screens may be installed to separate the driver from passengers.
- Taxis are ventilated using air conditioning and open windows (when weather allows).
- Drivers are required to wear masks and gloves.
- Passengers are kindly requested to sit in the backseat, if capacity allows.
For more information on taxi regulations, consult the guidelines for prevention of new coronavirus infection in taxis [PDF: 232KB] (*only in Japanese).
Rental Cars
- Rental offices are regularly disinfected. Hand sanitizer may be installed at the entrances to rental offices.
- Vehicles are ventilated and disinfected before rental and upon return.
- Passengers are kindly requested to wear masks and thoroughly ventilate the car during use.
For more information on rental car regulations, consult the Okinawa Rent-A-Car Association New Coronavirus Infectious Disease Prevention Measures Guidelines [PDF: 2.5MB] (*only in Japanese).
Yui Rail
- Station utilities such as ticket machines, gates, and handrails are regularly disinfected.
- Alcohol disinfectant and hand sanitizer is installed at entrances and other areas.
- Train cars undergo regular chemical disinfection.
- Train cars are ventilated using air conditioning and open windows (when weather allows).
- Passengers are kindly requested to wear masks and refrain from talking while aboard, to travel during non-peak hours if possible, and to stagger commutes.
Visit the Yui Rail (*only in Japanese) website for more information.
Ferries
- Preventative measures are in place at passenger terminals and on ferries.
- Terminals and ferries are regularly disinfected.
- Partitions are installed at terminal counters and at onboard information counters.
- Passengers are kindly requested to maintain proper social distancing at terminal counters, while queueing, and aboard ferries.
- Both terminals and ferries are properly ventilated using air conditioning and open windows (when weather allows).
- Passengers may have their temperature checked. Passengers with temperatures of 37.5°C or higher will be instructed to contact a health center.
For more information on ferry regulations, consult the guidelines for Prevention of Coronavirus Infection in the Passenger Ferry Business [PDF: 415KB] (*only in Japanese).
Hotel
At the Hotel
- Alcohol disinfectant and hand sanitizer are installed at entrances, in restrooms, and other areas.
- Guests are kindly requested to disinfect before entering, and comply with temperature monitoring.
- Guests are kindly requested to comply with a self-check health sheet at check-in.
- Guests with a fever, a cough, or other symptoms will not be allowed entry.
- Hotel facilities are regularly cleaned and disinfected. They are properly ventilated through the use of air conditioning and open windows (when weather allows).
- Partitions are installed at check-in counters and other areas. Staff are required to wear masks at all times.
- Guests are kindly requested to wear masks in all common areas.
- Guests are kindly requested to comply with safety protocols in place at restaurants and other facilities inside the hotel.
- Guests may request thermometers for temperature monitoring.
For more information on hotel regulations, consult the guidelines for preventing the spread of new coronavirus infections in the hotel industry [PDF: 391KB] (*only in Japanese).
Attractions
While Sightseeing
- Facilities may have temperature monitors, alcohol disinfectant and hand sanitizer, and step-on disinfection mats installed at entrances.
- Facilities are regularly disinfected.
- Partitions may be installed at cash registers, information desks, and other customer service locations.
- Customers are kindly requested to wear masks at all times in sightseeing facilities.
- Customers are kindly requested to socially distance while shopping, queueing, etc.
For more information on sightseeing facility regulations, consult the guidelines for preventing the spread of new coronavirus infections at tourist attractions [PDF: 204KB] (*only in Japanese).
Restaurants
Eating Out
- Alcohol disinfectant and hand sanitizer are placed at restaurant entrances and in restrooms.
- Diners may have their temperature checked before being shown to a table.
- Customers with fevers, coughs, or other symptoms will not be allowed to dine in.
- Entry may be restricted when restaurants are crowded.
- Customers are kindly requested to wear masks except while dining.
- Restaurant employees are required to wear masks at all times.
- Partitions may be installed at cash registers, between tables, and at counters and other areas, to prevent contact.
- Tables, ticket machines, and other surfaces are regularly disinfected.
- Customers are kindly requested to comply with protection protocols at buffers, salad bars, and drink bars.
- Customers are encouraged to use contactless payment where possible.
For more information on restaurant regulations, consult the guidelines for business continuity of the restaurant business based on the Basic Policies for Novel Coronavirus Disease Control (revised) [PDF: 378 KB] (*only in Japanese).
Beach/Marine Activities
Diving
- Alcohol disinfectant is placed at the entrance to diving facilities.
- Employees are required to wear masks at all times.
- Customers are kindly requested to wear masks. Customers may be denied entry for failure to wear masks.
- Customers are kindly requested not to enter diving facilities or book tours if they have a fever, cough, or other symptoms.
- The number of divers is limited to ensure proper social distancing protocols.
- Diving facilities, boats, and equipment undergo regular sanitation and disinfection.
- Suits, boots, and other rental equipment are laundered after use.
- Customers are encouraged to use their own equipment if possible.
- Customers are encouraged to make use of online reservation systems to avoid overcrowding.
- Boat cabins are ventilated using air conditioning and open windows (if weather allows).
- Please refrain from loud conversations aboard diving boats.
For more information on diving regulations, consult the guidelines for diving operators against new coronavirus infections [PDF: 396KB] (*only in Japanese).
Shopping
When Shopping
- Alcohol disinfectant and hand sanitizer are placed at shop entrances, restrooms, and other locations.
- Employees are required to wear masks, and regularly wash and disinfect their hands.
- Customers are kindly requested to wear masks at all times.
- Facilities, common areas, and surfaces undergo regular disinfection.
- Partitions are installed at cash registers, service counters, and other areas.
- Customers are encouraged to visit at off-peak hours to avoid crowds.
- Customers are encouraged to use automatic payment machines and cashless payments when possible.
- Measures are in place to ensure proper social distancing inside facilities.
For more information on retail regulations, consult the guidelines for preventing the spread of new coronavirus infections in retail stores [PDF: 391KB] (*only in Japanese).