Japanese theme park asks visitors to 'scream inside your heart' on rollercoasters to avoid spreading coronavirus

Measure is supposed to prevent transmission of coronavirus through water droplets

A Japanese theme park has taken the unusual step of asking people not to scream on its rollercoaster rides due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Instead, Fuji-Q Highland, which reopened last month, has told visitors to "scream inside" their hearts.

The visitor attraction, which is located at the base of Mt Fuji, decided to give this unorthodox advice in order to reduce the risk of Covid-19 being transmitted through water droplets on its rides.

However, executives at Fuji-Q Highland told the Wall Street Journal that anyone breaking the rules will not be punished.

As part of its messaging campaign, the theme park started a challenge for people to pull their most "serious face", with prizes being awarded for the best photos on its rides.

The site also released an online video in which two of its executives demonstrate its new policy.

The two men - one in a full suit and tie, the other in a shirt and bow tie - can been seen riding the rollercoaster in silence for four minutes. They also wear masks, as all visitors are also required to do.

The clip finishes with the words: "Please scream inside your heart".

Although Japan has had a relatively low infection rate, the number of new cases in Tokyo has jumped in recent days. On Thursday, the capital recorded 224 new Covid-19 cases, the highest figure it has seen in a single day.

Japan has so far recorded more than 20,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and 980 deaths.