Tokyo in a state of emergency – Open to have empty stands at the Olympics

The Japanese government has decided to impose a new state of emergency in Tokyo, which will cover the entire season of the Olympic Games that will start in two weeks in the Japanese capital, to deal with the increase in cases of Covid-19, broadcast Japanese media.

“The government has decided to declare a fourth state of emergency in Tokyo and has announced its decision” to the ruling coalition, NHK television reported.

The state of emergency will last until August 22, according to Japanese media, while the Olympic Games will be held from July 23 to August 8.

According to the Kyodo news agency, citing a top government official, it is now possible that the Olympic Games will be held behind closed doors.

As early as March, the organizers had decided to ban the arrival of foreign spectators in Japan for the Olympic Games, a fact unprecedented in the history of the Games.

In June, it was announced that the presence of domestic spectators would be allowed, but with the filling of 50% of the seats of each playing field and with a maximum of 10,000 people. They recently warned that the choice to hold the Games behind closed doors remains, as the health situation in Japan is deteriorating again.

The decision on the final arrangements for the public will be made in the coming days.

Japan is not one of the countries hardest hit by the epidemic, having officially recorded 14,800 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. But experts warn that the Japanese health system could be severely tested during the Olympics.

About 11,000 athletes are expected to compete in the midst of the health crisis. Draconian measures have been imposed by the organizers on all participants.