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Earlier on Thursday, the Japanese government declared a new state of emergency in Tokyo over the coronavirus pandemic, valid during the Olympics.
Two weeks before the Olympics opening ceremony scheduled for July 23, COVID-19 cases in the capital are on the rise, with the most contagious strains of the delta coronavirus currently accounting for about 30 percent of cases. in all cases, the spread scared officials.
The spread of the pandemic coronavirus thwarted plans to admit up to 10,000 people to Olympic venues. Japanese viewers. This means that the Tokyo Olympics will be the first in history to be held behind closed doors.
“We will impose a state of emergency in Tokyo,” Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said during a government meeting to combat the pandemic. “This period will last until August 22.”
The Games will take place from July 23 to August 8. The declaration of a state of emergency is subject to slightly more lenient restrictions than the introduction of global quarantine.
The government could lift the emergency earlier “if the effects of the vaccines are clear and there is an improvement in the situation of the hospital beds,” Suga said.
Earlier on Thursday, Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who is responsible for Japan’s response to the pandemic, warned that new cases of COVID-19 were increasing in the capital.
“As the human movement grows, it becomes more contagious [koronavruso] the delta strain now accounts for about 30 percent. cases. This [skaičius] it should increase even more, “he added.
Under the emergency rules, alcohol will be prohibited in bars and restaurants, they will have to finish work by 8 pm Events such as concerts and conferences must end before 9:00 pm.
It is important that no more than 5,000 people can participate in the events. in the case of spectators or, in the case of smaller objects, 50%. can accommodate spectators.
In Japan, the COVID-19 outbreak has been relatively small so far; some 14.9 thousand people died from the disease in the country. people and strict quarantine was avoided. However, the vaccination campaign in Japan is slow and so far only slightly more than 15% have been fully vaccinated. population.
There have been concerns in the country that the delta strain could trigger a new wave of infections that could quickly deplete local medical resources.
Overseas spectators were previously banned from attending the Olympics, and last month organizers announced that the number of Japanese spectators would be limited to 10,000. or 50 percent. places for them.
But organizers have previously acknowledged that the number could be further reduced, saying the Games could even take place behind closed doors if the epidemiological situation deteriorates and stricter restrictions are imposed in Tokyo.
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