Come August, beaches nationwide are typically crowded with visitors looking to escape the heat and humidity.

This year, however, just 60 percent of the nation’s 1,156 beaches are officially open to the public following the COVID-19 pandemic that has wreaked havoc worldwide.

An article in an online Newsweek Japan publication suggests that the risk of contracting COVID-19 is very small when you’re swimming in the ocean, although the same obviously can't be said when relaxing on the beach surrounded by crowds of people.