Tokyo Olympics: Japan set to extend virus emergency in Tokyo through May 31- With just 11 weeks left for the grand event in Tokyo, Japan is likely to extend the virus emergency amid rising cases of COVID-19.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has said his government has decided to extend the state of emergency in Tokyo and Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo which is scheduled to end on Tuesday.
It means that the International Olympic Committee Head Thomas Bach’s visit to Tokyo ahead of the Olympics could be delayed.
Earlier, Japanese media reported that Bach would attend a torch relay ceremony in the western city of Hiroshima on May 17.
“I suspect that coming to Japan in the midst of this very severe situation would also be an emotional burden for President Bach,” said Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto at a news conference held on Friday.
“Tokyo 2020 organisers will keep a close eye on the coronavirus situation and make a decision on Olympic spectators in June based on that,” Hashimoto added.
According to Association Press, the ongoing emergency is Japan’s third and came only a month after an earlier measure ended in the Tokyo area.
Tokyo Olympics: Japan set to extend virus emergency in Tokyo through May 31
It is notable that Japan is one of the least vaccinated nations with signs of strain, both societal and political.
Japan has had about 616,000 cases including about 10,500 deaths since the pandemic began, the report added.
Citizens have shown impatience and less desire to cooperate. Meanwhile, the government has also been criticized over its snail-paced vaccination rollout.
Olympics start on July 23 after being postponed for a year due to the pandemic. The tournament will take place from July 23-Aug 8.
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