No screaming on these roller coasters
As theme parks reopen in Japan, one new rule has visitors thrown for a loop: No screaming on roller coasters.
It may seem like an odd request when riders are going up and down, upsidedown and sideways at high speeds. But intense vocal expressions may produce droplets that could spread the coronavirus.
Japanese theme parks developed the rule, so they could reopen with precautions after closing during the pandemic. The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that theme park visitors are having a hard time following it.
Two executives from the Fuji-Q Highland amusement park appeared in a four-minute video in which they ride the park’s Fujiyama coaster in complete silence.
“Please scream inside your heart,” the video advises at its conclusion.
U.S. theme parks have issued no guidance for screaming on roller coasters. They require social distancing, temperature checks and face masks.
Walt Disney World is reopening Saturday. Universal Orlando has been open since early June. Some Six Flags parks have reopened. Disneyland was supposed to reopen July 17, but that has been delayed because coronavirus cases are on the rise in California.