WHO Urges The Olympics Not To Become A Source Of Transmission Of COVID-19 Like The Euros

Photo illustration (Source: Antara)

JAKARTA - The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to be more alert to the threat of the spread of COVID-19 during the Tokyo Olympics in July-August.

WHO has urged that the Tokyo Olympics not be the cause of the increase in COVID-19 cases. The WHO regional office said crowds at Euro 2020 football stadiums, in pubs and in bars in Euro 2020 host cities had caused an explosion of coronavirus infections in Europe.

WHO Technical Head for COVID-19 Maria van Kerkhove said the IOC needed to learn from what happened from hosting Euro 2020.

"The IOC and others have explained their plans in determining the approach to the implementation of the Olympics, and we have been involved in it and advised them on the best course of action to take," van Kerkhove told a news conference in Geneva.

He added that WHO had learned from the case of Euro 2020. "If the virus is still there and precautions are not taken, the virus will spread," he said.

“We urge everyone to take a risk-based approach in whatever they do and the decisions they make. The choices they make have consequences, both good and bad."

Earlier, the head of the WHO's Emergencies Programme, Mike Ryan, said last month that he would discuss risk management of the spread of COVID-19 in the Olympics with Japanese authorities and the IOC after organizers announced they would allow local spectators to attend stadiums.

Meanwhile, the organizers have banned the presence of spectators from abroad in the quadrennial Games.