Local spectators may be allowed at Tokyo Olympics despite experts’ objection

TOKYO, 19 June 2021:

The organising committee of the Tokyo Olympics yesterday said it planned to allow spectators into stadiums – despite Japanese medical experts advising against it and arguing that banning spectators was the “least risky” option amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The experts, led by Japan’s top health advisor Shigeru Omi, warned that holding the Olympics with spectators could increase Covid-19 infections and the spread of new variants.

Omi issued the warning after organising committee president Seiko Hashimoto said she wanted to allow up to 10,000 spectators into stadiums.

After the experts’ warning, Hashimoto said the committee is open to imposing stricter measures to spectators of the Games compared to those imposed on football and baseball fans.

These would include asking spectators to go home straight after the Games and avoid going to bars and restaurants to restrict the flow of movement during the Olympics.

Japanese authorities have allowed stadiums to hold 50% capacity and set a new cap of 10,000 people in stadiums.

Hashimoto insisted the Games would be managed under these government policies.

However, public viewing sites for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics have been cancelled in the Japanese capital due to the coronavirus pandemic, Tokyo Metropolitan governor Yuriko Koike announced today.

Some of the six public places where giant screens were scheduled to be set up for fans to follow the competition will be turned into vaccination centres, Koike said.

The decision to allow spectators into stadiums will be formalised Monday.

Organisers have already banned spectators from overseas.

– EFE