Tokyo Olympic Committee Wants Spectators, Experts Warn Risk Of Spreading COVID-19

Tokyo 2020 Olympics illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/Real Estate Japan)

JAKARTA - Famous Japanese medical experts have warned that holding the Olympics in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic has a high chance of increasing infections. And, if implemented, banning audience attendance is the least risky option.

This warning is contained in a report released by leading health expert and adviser Shigeru Omi Friday 18 June. Earlier, the head of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics organizing committee told the Sankei newspaper the plan was to allow up to 10,000 people to attend the stadium.

Japan is known to be determined to hold the Tokyo Olympics, which was postponed last year, amid fears of a spike in COVID-19 infections and strong public opposition, even though organizers have banned spectators from abroad.

Cancellation is not possible, because the impact will be expensive for the organizers, the Tokyo Government, sponsors and insurance companies.

"This event differs from regular sporting events in scale and social interest, and overlaps with summer holidays. There is a risk that the movement of people and opportunities for interaction during the Olympics will spread infection and burden the medical system," the report said. June.

"Staying with the games behind closed doors is the least risky option and we think it is desirable," the report continued.

The final decision on domestic audiences will be made at a meeting to be held next Monday between the Tokyo 2020 organizers, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee, the Government of Japan and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

"I want it to be held with an audience. I plan to head for a five-way meeting with that in mind," the Sankei newspaper quoted Tokyo 2020 Olympic Committee Chairman Seiko Hashimoto in an interview published late Thursday as saying.

Hashimoto said Omi's suggestion would be included in discussions with the IOC and others on Monday.

Earlier, the Government of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga decided to relax the coronavirus state of emergency in nine prefectures, including Tokyo, while maintaining some pseudo-emergency restrictions.

Expert reports said organizers should be prepared to act quickly to ban spectators or declare another state of emergency if necessary. It is also recommended that if spectators are allowed, restrictions should be strict, including limiting them to residents of the local area.

To note, Japan recorded more than 776,000 cases of COVID-19 infection and more than 14,200 deaths. Meanwhile, the number of residents who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine has only reached 15 percent.