Earlier this month it was reported that about 10,000 of the 80,000 volunteers who had signed up to help with the Olympics had given up.
Protest against Tokyo Olympics. (Reuters Photo)
highlighted
- It was earlier reported that out of 80,000 volunteers, 10,000 had pulled out
- Several opinion polls have shown that a majority of respondents are opposed to holding the Games this summer.
- Anti-Olympic demonstrations took place outside the Tokyo Metropolitan Building and the Organizing Committee headquarters
Organizers of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games will give all 70,000 volunteers working for the Games the opportunity to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Saturday, citing organizers.
Nikkei said some volunteers have already been vaccinated. Public broadcaster NHK reported earlier this month that nearly 10,000 of the 80,000 volunteers who had signed up to help with the Games had resigned. Multiple opinion polls have shown that a majority of respondents are opposed to holding the Games this summer during the pandemic.
Protests are taking place against hosting the Olympics in Tokyo amid the pandemic. Protests also took place in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Building and the headquarters of the organizing committee, from major metro stations to famous public places in Japan. The protests have particularly escalated after two Ugandan citizens tested positive for the coronavirus after landing in Japan a few days ago.
The protesters are worried that the arrival of so many people from different parts of the world will increase the risk of spreading the virus. In fact, they fear some of the most infectious forms that may spread in the country. Also, when people around the world are suffering, the amount being allocated for a sporting event can be used for healthcare or COVID-relief funds in the country.
Click here for IndiaToday.in’s Full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.