Back at office after the first state of the emergency

The Japanese government lifted the state of emergency at the end of May 2020.
I was glad to go back to office, just in a hope that Covid situation will improve. I understood that many specialists were saying that the second wave was on its way, possibly after autumn. I only hoped that the situation will be back to normal as soon as possible, and countries will open up their border for visitors.

Due to reduced working days, I returned to office in the beginning of June. On the way to Tokyo, I saw many changes which took place during quarantine period. There were many empty seats on train even through it was peak hour in the morning. Train stations and annex shopping complex, usually crowded by commuters, were almost empty.

At office, I was glad to meet my colleagues after long while. We congratulated each other for surviving the past two months. Luckily, no one was infected by the virus, and everyone looked just as healthy as ever.

My first task at office was to cancel tours scheduled in summer period. Our clients already sent us cancellation requests.

While cancelling summer businesses, much thoughts flicked through my mind. I had several package tours scheduled in summer – which was supposed to send about 200 people in one country. If I add up all the tours at my hands, I could have operated tours to send more than 1000 people to North Africa and Europe. They were gone just one click on the computer screen.

What if there was no virus? Many happy faces crossed my mind –

Clients who booked the tour.
Tour leader.
Staffs at airports.
Cabin crews on board and captain of the aircraft.
Welcome assistant at airports.
Driver of touring coaches.
Guides.
Staffs at museums and tourist attractions.
Chefs and waiters at restaurants.
Hotel staffs.
Suppliers for restaurants and hotels.
Gift shop staffs and supermarket staffs.
Train station staffs train drivers.
Moreover, visitors from all over the world and local people.

These are just to name but a few. More people would have been happy to welcome the coming summer vacation season, and could have enjoyed the busy time together.

Our branch offices sent us updates on our partner in Europe and beyond. It was distressing to see the familiar names of hotels and restaurants, which decided to close their premises permanently. What was happening to the hotel staffs who were always kind to send greeting message and welcome our guests? And the restaurants who did everything to meet our meticulous menu requests? Although I have never met them in person, I imagined their faces, prayed their safety, and hope they were not in distress.

By mid-June, rumour began to spread about the possible closure of branch offices. The word “redundancy” had begun to creep in to our minds.

One day, our CEO gave us a speech. He spoke confidently to secure employments. Some of us trusted, some had doubts. With so many suppliers closed for permanently, it was evidently sure that the autumn tour will face more difficulty and problems.

Personally I trusted our CEO’s opinion to secure jobs – thinking that we might be able to work at our sister company and come back when Covid situation was over. Demands for oversea trips was right in front of us. I trusted the company’s decision to keep employment, to get ready when the next peak season comes back.

Once outside of the office, I saw cherry trees were fresh with green leaves. The last time I saw them, the blossom were in full bloom. I stood by the bridge parapet and admired the view across the river. I thought how time flew, and how our life have been altered because of this novel virus.