Medical experts have said for weeks that no spectator would be the least risky option at a global sporting event. Organizers have already banned foreign spectators and capped domestic audiences at 50% capacity, up to 10,000 people, to prevent an outbreak of infection.
Mainichi, citing sources within the government, said such discussions were partly the result of political considerations as Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s ruling party had failed to win a majority in an election. TokyoAssembly on Sunday. The vote ahead of the general election later this year was seen reflecting some voter discontent over the government’s virus response.
The report highlights the standing logistical challenges surrounding the Games, leading to close to a year of daily debate about its potential impact on the spread. COVID-19 in Japan.
The government’s top health adviser Shigeru Omi told a parliamentary health committee on Wednesday that it is important to reduce the number of Olympic officials and others as much as possible.
July to early September, which covers the period of the Olympic Games, represents “one of the most important periods” in combating the virus in Japan, he said.
“We are saying that it is better that events be held without spectators,” Omi said, adding that residents other than fans would also be encouraged to follow virus restrictions and prevent infection.
Marathon, torch relay ban
In another blow to the spectacle of the Games, Tokyo organizers on Tuesday announced that they would ask the public not to gather on the streets for the Olympic Marathon, one of the Games’ most popular and prestigious events. Tokyo’s metropolitan government also decided to remove most torch relays from public roads scheduled to reach the capital on Friday.
The issue of spectators at other Olympic events is to be decided on Thursday in five-way talks, involving Tokyo governor and IOC president Thomas Bach, who visit Japan that day.
Tokyo 2020 The organizing committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Asked about the spectators issue at a news conference on Tuesday, the government’s top spokesman, Katsunobu Kato, said Suga had said holding the Games without spectators was a possibility.
Government sources said on Thursday the government may extend a semi-emergency in Tokyo and three surrounding prefectures beyond the original July 11 end date.
Kyodo News reported that the extension is likely to last a month, meaning the ban will remain in place throughout the Olympics, which kick off with a ceremony on August 8.
Japan has not experienced the explosive Covid-19 outbreaks seen elsewhere, but has seen more than 800,000 cases and 14,800 deaths. The slow rollout means only a quarter of its population has received at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot.
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