Japan is still doing calculation in regards to the pandemic even though the Tokyo Olympics are less than 100 days away. In term of the number of spectators, for example, for a big match venue, the audience limit is 20,000 people. “However, more spectators will be allowed as long as the pandemic situation improves,” said a Tokyo 2020 statement today.
Until now, the public is still waiting for the regulation on the number of domestic spectators at the Tokyo Olympics. The organizer’s decision, Tokyo 2020, was only realized in March 2021, in the form of a ban on foreign spectators from attending the Tokyo Olympic games. “We are still taking public safety into account,” said a recent Tokyo 2020 statement.
In a number of regions in Japan, including Tokyo and Osaka, the number of exposure to the Covid-19 virus is increasing. Ehime prefectural leadership, for example, plans to cancel the Olympic Torch relay. In Okinawa, the torch relay will not be held on the highway to avoid the crowd of spectators.
Less than 100 days before the opening of the Tokyo Olympics on July 23, 2021, Japan is still recording a high mortality rate due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “The death toll has reached 9,500 people,” said the latest statement from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Wednesday (14/4/2021). The mortality rate, when compared to various countries in the world, may be smaller.
However, this figure is one of the highest in the Asian region. At the same time, the Covid-19 pandemic figures recorded a growth of up to 1,000 cases in Osaka. “This is the first high increase numbers in Osaka,” said a statement from the Osaka City government.
In mid-February 2021, Japan vaccinated medical personnel. However, the vaccination program has been slowing down due to supply constraints from Pfizer. Meanwhile, vaccination for the elderly, over 60 years, will take place from April 12, 2021. If athletes get vaccinated, they must wait for the sequence after vaccinating the elderly.
The Tokyo Olympics will take place from July 23, 2021 to August 8, 2021. Orignally, the event took place from 24 July to 9 August 2020. However, due to Covid-19 pandemic, it is postponed to the following year. This is the first time that the Olympics Games have been postponed and rescheduled, rather than cancelled. Moreover, the event retains the Tokyo 2020 name for marketing and branding purposes.
