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They warn about the risk of having spectators in the Olympic Games

2021-06-22T12:23:56.609Z


Japan's main covid-19 advisor warned about the risk of the public presence at the Olympic Games in the face of the coronavirus.


Tokyo advances in final preparations for Olympics 2:13

(CNN) -

Japan's top covid-19 advisor said on Friday that hosting the Tokyo Olympics without spectators is "desirable" as it would be the lowest-risk option amid the pandemic.

Shigeru Omi, an infectious disease expert who leads the government subcommittee on coronavirus, and other specialists urged that the limit on the number of spectators at the Games be stricter than the current upper limit for large-scale events in Japan.

They did so after submitting a report containing a set of proposals to the Olympic organizing committee.

The presentation came a day after Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga decided to end the COVID-19 state of emergency in Tokyo and eight other prefectures on June 20.

Tokyo and six other prefectures will enter a quasi-emergency state until July 11, except for Okayama and Hiroshima.

In these cities, situations have improved enough not to require designation.

Tokyo 2020: final regulations of the Olympic joust 0:51

Okinawa will remain under the current state of emergency until July 11.

Hospitals in the prefecture are still under pressure from covid-19 patients.

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The word of the president of the Olympic Games

At a Tokyo 2020 roundtable on Friday, the chair of the organizing committee, Seiko Hashimoto, said: 'Yesterday, the prime minister made an announcement that included the lifting of the state of emergency and the government's basic policy on holding events to from now on.

As we have been saying, the Tokyo Games will be managed under these government policies.

“Earlier today, President Omi gave us his opinion on the risk of infection by the new coronavirus at the Games.

Based on President Omi's proposal, I would like you to actively discuss how to achieve 'safety and security' from the expert's point of view, "he added.

Hashimoto told reporters later Friday that organizers will try to accommodate spectators.

However, they may have to cancel at the last minute.

Advice to viewers

Experts and officials also said Friday that Olympics spectators should go directly to the venues and then home after watching the events whenever possible.

Hidemasa Nakamura, one of the officials responsible for organizing the Tokyo 2020 Games, warned against celebrations involving alcohol in the streets amid the pandemic.

He said that "drinking or having a party on the street is not just a public nuisance, but a very negative event from an infection perspective as well."

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Inside the venues, Nakamura urged onlookers to "keep a safe distance from everyone except his family members, and from any group that eats and drinks on the spot."

"So if you are eating, you should eat alone or at least look in the same direction as your friends and family," Nakamura added.

They analyze sanitary measures for the Olympic Games 0:49

He also said officials are looking to minimize travel between prefectures to avoid any possible spread of the covid-19.

While the current infection rate in Japan is declining, senior officials at Tokyo 2020 have warned of the potential impact of the Delta variant of covid-19.

Nakamura said the Delta variant "may be a significantly important factor, potentially, in the near future."

He added that athletes arriving from India, where the variant was first identified, will have to self-quarantine upon arrival in Japan.

They will also have to undergo tests every day for seven days before their arrival.

CNN's Junko Ogura contributed reporting.

Covid-19 Olympic Games Tokyo 2021 Olympics

Source: cnnespanol

All news articles on 2021-06-22

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