
Japan allows 10,000 local fans to participate in the Tokyo Olympics | Coronavirus pandemic news
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Organizers warned that if the coronavirus infection surges, the game may be held behind closed doors.
The Tokyo Olympics will allow up to 10,000 fans to participate, but the organizers warned that if the coronavirus infection surges, the games may be held behind closed doors.
A joint statement issued on Monday said: “In view of government restrictions on public events, the Olympic spectator limit will be set at 50% of the venue capacity, and all venues can accommodate up to 10,000 people.”
The decision was announced after a five-party meeting between the organizers of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and officials from the Japanese government, the Tokyo government, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee.
The decision of the Paralympic spectators will be postponed to July 16. The Tokyo Olympics are scheduled to open on July 23.
The statement added: “A framework will be implemented to use expert advice to continuously monitor infections and medical conditions.”
The latest move contradicts the advice of Dr. Shigeru Omi, the country’s top medical adviser, who said last week that the safest way to host the Olympics is to have no fans.
Omi had previously called hosting the Olympic Games during the COVID-19 pandemic “abnormal”.
IOC President Thomas Bach said in a speech before the meeting that he “absolutely believes that this will be a decision that will best protect the Japanese people and all participants.”
A few months ago, foreign fans were banned. Officials said that local fans will be subject to strict regulations-they will not be allowed to cheer, they must wear masks, and they will be told to go home directly afterwards.
Organizers stated that between 3.6 and 3.7 million tickets are in the hands of Japanese residents.
Due to the global health crisis, the Olympic Games were postponed for one year.
Japan has reported more than 786,000 coronavirus cases and nearly 14,500 of them have died.
But the introduction of vaccines there has been slower than in many developed countries, and has only accelerated in recent days. About 6.5% of the population is now vaccinated.
On Thursday, the Japanese government approved the lifting of Tokyo’s virus emergency measures one month before the Olympics, but set new restrictions that may severely restrict fans of sports events.
The state of emergency in Tokyo began in late April, which largely restricted the operating hours of bars and restaurants and prohibited them from selling alcohol.
Organizers also face a skeptical public. Opinion polls often show that most Japanese people prefer to see the Olympics be further postponed or cancelled altogether.
Recent surveys show that the opposition has eased, and if an extension is not provided as an option, the Olympics are more likely to be held than to cancel.
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