Ikea Bans Lying Down on Furniture (No, for Real This Time)

Tom Arnstein theBeijinger

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Shoppers looking to take a break from the endless monotony that is Beijing on quarantine were sorely disappointed this week when they dropped by Ikea only to find the furniture sections completely cordoned off with warning tape.

Having long been the destination of choice to kill an afternoon, and perhaps take a cheeky nap, Ikea is not taking any risks when it comes to customers unwittingly cross infecting each other by lounging around the beds and sofas, reports Beijing News.

So much so that some of the showrooms now look more akin to a murder scene.

A scene from 'CSI: Stockholm'

Other products were simply adorned with signs asking people not to spend too long lounging.

A sign informs shoppers to "not spend too long trying, sitting, or lying down"

Despite the signs, some were overcome by the overpowering need to test the goods.

Can't stop, won't stop

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As well as cordoning off select showrooms, Beijing's Siyuanqiao and Xihongmen outlets are using tape to a maintain one-meter divide between queueing shoppers. Employees are also on guard to check temperatures before people can enter the store. Shoppers are also unable to use the elevators.

(Not) going up!

Those hungry for Swedish meatballs, on the other hand, will be happy to hear that the cafeteria is also open for business.

Tape instructs shoppers to maintain and one-meter distance

The new restrictions come following the reopening of Ikea's China stores on Mar 8, which had been closed since Jan 30 due to the virus.

In lieu of sitting, photos will have to do

Shoppers in Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, and Shanghai have been granted access to Ikea's TMall store – the first time that Ikea has ever sold its products through a third party. We Beijingers, however, must still visit the physical store if we want a fix of their Scandi minimalist goods, and it may be another six months until we can order online.

If there's one upside to all this, it's that customer numbers are said to be down by around 70 percent so if you're on the lookout for a new mattress or a replacement to the nth French press you've broken this year (pro tip: just buy a stainless steel one), now is the time to visit.

So far, visitors are said to be down 70 percent

The Swedish furniture giant has had a long and storied history in China – including reports of exploding glassware, former employees turned thieves, and children's toys named after convicted war criminals – and it doesn't seem like a year goes by without a rumor of the store having to ban people from taking advantage of their incredibly comfy fittings. This time, however, the kaibosh on kipping is very much real.