Japan Limits The Number Of Tokyo Olympics Foreign Delegates: 11 Accompanying Staff Per Head Of State

JAKARTA - The Japanese government is considering limiting the number of delegates who will accompany foreign ministers and leaders in the Tokyo Olympics in an effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

The number of accompanying staff will be limited to a maximum of 11 people per head of state, while cabinet-level delegates are limited to a maximum of five, the Kyodo news agency reported.

VIP guests will also be required to undergo a COVID-19 test within 72 hours before flying to Japan and will be retested upon arrival.

Previously, the Sankei daily reported that the Japanese government was also considering limiting the number of spectators at the Tokyo Olympics to 50 percent of stadium capacity due to concerns about the risks posed by the transmission of COVID-19.

Although the number of cases due to the coronavirus in Japan is relatively lower than in other countries such as the United States, several regions including Tokyo still have a COVID-19 emergency status due to the emergence of the third wave of the pandemic in the country.

According to various reports, Japan has decided to hold the Olympics without spectators from abroad, but Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee President Seiko Hashimoto said no decision has yet been made. The decision regarding the audience will be made at the end of March.

Organizers have repeatedly spoken of their determination to stage this year's Olympics by all means, despite low public support.

The Tokyo Olympics, which were delayed by one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, were rescheduled for 23 July-8 August.