COVID Surge Closes Naeba, one of Japan's Top Ski Resorts
Bad news for Japanese skiing as the COVID surge closes Naeba, one of the the country’s biggest ski resorts and jewel in the Prince Snow Resort crown.
Prince announced the temporary closure from yesterday Sunday January 17 to earl-February after 31 positive COVID-19 cases among their Naeba staff.
Naeba is one of the most easily accessed major resorts from Tokyo too, either via shinkansen to Echigo Yuzawa or by road.
The Naeba Prince is a massive 5-tower complex that we have often likened to a cruise-ship experience – ideal for families with plenty to do inside for the kids as well. Let’s hope there’s no cruise ship spread effect.
While still nowhere near levels in Europe or America, the current COVID surge in Japan has authorities very worried.
According to a Kyodo News tally, the nationwide cumulative total surpassed 100,000 on Oct. 29 and reached 200,000 nearly two months later on Dec. 21. It only took about three weeks for the cumulative total to hit the 300,000 mark.
At a coronavirus meeting held by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government on Thursday members of the expert panel said the recent rise in cases in which infection routes cannot be traced is indicating an “explosive expansion” of infections according to the Japan Times.
As we have seen around the globe, those sort of rapid curve increases can all too easily get out of control.
At the moment a state of emergency extends to 13 prefectures. Hopefully these measures are enough to plateau and slow the curve of the latest outbreak, otherwise the immediate outlook is not good.
Here is the statement on temporary closure from Naeba:
As of January 17th (Sun) today, Naeba Prince Hotel, Naeba Ski Resort, and Kagura Ski Resort will be temporarily closed until early February. Thank you for all the warm support comments. We will do our utmost to ensure that everyone’s precious memories of Naeba and Kagura are not lost, and that the day of resumption will be reached as soon as possible. No matter how hard or hard it may be “There is no night that doesn’t dawn”
