The Tokyo Olympics is looking more likely to have no fans at all present after Japan extended its Covid-19 state of emergency today in Tokyo and other areas today.
A Tokyo 2020 organizer hinted on Friday that even local fans may be barred from venues at the global showcase event after overseas spectators were banned months ago.
Tokyo and nine other areas in the country have been under emergency orders for around a month, which involve closing bars and restaurants early and banning them from selling alcohol.
And the state of emergency has today been extended in nine prefectures from Monday until June 20, just one month before the Olympics is set to kick off on July 23. The prefecture of Okinawa was already under emergency status until June 20.
Experts approved the preliminary government proposal on the extension on Friday, with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga officially announcing the decision later the same day.
After the announcement, organizing committee president Seiko Hashimoto hinted that all fans may be barred from venues, saying they will make a decision once the state of emergency is lifted.
‘We would like to make a decision as soon as possible (on fans), but after the state of emergency is lifted we will assess,’ Hashimoto said at her weekly briefing.
