Japan might not allow international visitors to attend Olympics
Japan won’t allow overseas visitors to attend the rescheduled 2020 Olympic Games, according to Japanese newspaper Mainichi
The paper reported that Japan’s government has been planning to hold the games without accepting visitors from outside Japan. A final decision on the proposal is expected to be made within the month. The government is in discussions with other relevant bodies about the issue, including the International Olympic Committee.
“Under current circumstances, we cannot accept spectators from overseas,” a source close to the government told The Mainichi.
Officials looking into allowing only domestic visitors
Because of continued concern surrounding the spread of Covid-19, officials believe that forbidding overseas visitors from attending events will ensure the games will go ahead this year. Officials are believed to be looking into the possibility of allowing just domestic spectators, and they’re still determining how many will be permitted to attend.
Although parts of Europe and the US ramping up vaccination programmes offer a promising light at the end of the tunnel, the Japanese government is reportedly looking to avoid any catastrophe that would see the further delay – or cancellation – of the games.
The 2020 Olympic Games were originally set to be held in July 2020 but were postponed in March of the same year when the pandemic first began spreading on a global level. The new dates were set for one year later, 23 July to 8 August 2021 for the Olympic Games and 24 August to 5 September 2021 for the Paralympic Games.