COVID-19 Cases Soaring, Tokyo Olympic Committee: We Are Ready To Hold The Olympics Without Audience

Illustration of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. (Wikimedia Commons / Real Estate Japan)

JAKARTA - The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Committee launched a number of provisions to tighten the prevention of the spread of the coronavirus, including a plan to test athletes every day, as part of efforts to reassure Japanese citizens.

Three months before the implementation of the Olympics, Japan is shrouded in worry over the slow pace of the vaccination program in Japan, amid the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in a number of regions.

It is certain that the audience from abroad cannot attend. Meanwhile, decisions regarding domestic spectators will be made in June, a few weeks before the Olympics start on July 23.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Committee President Seiko Hashimoto said that while organizers wanted as many spectators as possible, they were ready to take every step necessary to ensure safety.

"We are ready to hold the Olympics without spectators", she told a press conference after a meeting on the draft of the two guidelines for the Olympics and Paralympics.

Organizers, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Japanese Government, said in a joint statement that they would exert all possible precautions and place the highest priority on safety.

Seiko Hashimoto. (Wikimedia Commons / T.Nobue)

Regarding safety, an IOC official Christophe Dubi revealed that the committee will carry out what it says, to ensure and make Japanese citizens safe and comfortable.

He also defended the decision not to mandate vaccines for migrants, saying not every country has access to a vaccine to fight COVID-19. Athletes and close contacts will be tested daily, while all participants must undergo two negative tests prior to arrival.

In addition, migrants will not be allowed to use public transportation during their first 14 days and must eat at certain locations with special hygiene precautions.

To note, Japan has declared a state of emergency in a number of its regions due to the spike in COVID-19 cases, including Tokyo. Lasting until May 11, this provision requires restaurants and bars serving alcohol to be closed along with major shops, cinemas, and other commercial facilities. Companies must allow staff to work from home and spectators are prohibited from attending major sporting events.

For information, without foreign spectators, Japan will have more than 10.000 athletes, coaches, and Tokyo Olympics support staff arriving in July.