Japan Concerned Over Rising Covid Cases, Might Set No-Fan Policy For Olympics

Olympics 2020: Recently, the Japanese PM reiterated his warning saying that if the situation worsens, spectators may be barred from sporting events at all.  

(File Photo/ Getty Images)

Tokyo: As virus cases grow in the host city of Tokyo just three weeks before the Games, Japan's prime minister Yoshihide Suga has warned that the Olympics may be staged behind closed doors. 

Despite the organisers of the Games announcing last month that the maximum number of spectators allowed would be 10,000, or half of the total capacity of the venue, the chances of spectators seem bleak, especially with the government planning to expand anti-virus measures in the city due to an increase in new cases. 

Recently, the Japanese PM reiterated his warning saying that if the situation worsens, spectators may be barred from sporting events at all.  

"We will act with the safety and security of the Japanese people as our top priority. There is a possibility of there being no spectators", he said on Thursday. 

As reported by Japanese local media, The Yomiuri, organizers might also delay the ticket lottery which was earlier set to be held next Tuesday to allocate tickets for events that are oversubscribed under current attendance limits. 

However, because of the uncertainty around attendance limitations, the lottery is likely to be postponed, leaving some supporters anxious about their seats with the Games set to begin in less than three weeks. This also means that there will be no more tickets available, and spectators from outside the United States have already been denied entry. 

"Infections are rebounding in Tokyo and other places, and people are calling for prevention measures to be strengthened," the Yomiuri report said. 

Since a state of emergency was revoked last month and replaced with eased Covid restrictions that are due to expire on July 11, 19 cases have been reported in Japan. However, the government is expected to extend them as soon as next week, ensuring that they are in place when the Games begin on July 23.