Spectators barred from Tokyo Olympics amid COVID rise

The Olympic Games in Japan are to be held without spectators due to rising cases of coronavirus.

Olympics Minister Tamayo Marukawa made the announcement following discussions with officials and organisers on Thursday evening.

A state of emergency in Tokyo will run throughout the Games, to combat coronavirus.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told reporters it would run from July 12 and remain in place until August 22.

Bars and restaurants will not be allowed to serve alcohol and must close by 20:00 (11:00 GMT).

Coronavirus infections are rising in Tokyo as the July 23 opening ceremony edges closer.

There has been widespread opposition to the Games in Japan, with calls for them to be postponed or cancelled.

“Taking into consideration the effect of coronavirus variants and not to let the infections spread again to the rest of the nation, we need to strengthen our countermeasures,” the prime minister said.

“Given the situation, we will issue a state of emergency for Tokyo.”

Hours before the decision to bar spectators, Tokyo 2020 chief Seiko Hashimoto said: “We need to issue a message which is strong and easy to understand from the point of view of preventing the further spread [of the virus].”

The state of emergency was announced after a meeting between the organising committee, the government and the International Olympic Committee president, Thomas Bach, who has just arrived in Japan.

The Olympic Games are scheduled to take place in the Japanese capital between 23 July and 8 August. The Paralympic Games are between 24 August and 5 September.

What’s happening with COVID in Japan?

A new wave of infections began in April, but overall the country has had relatively low case numbers and a death toll of around 14,900.

On Wednesday, there were 2,180 new cases reported in the country. Some 920 of those were in Tokyo, up from 714 last week and its highest since 1,010 on May 13.

Japan’s vaccination rollout has been slow, and just over 15% of the country is fully vaccinated. There is rising concern over the threat of the Delta variant.

In Tokyo and Osaka, the two cities hit hardest by the recent surge, authorities hope over-65s will be fully vaccinated by the end of July.

Entry to Japan by foreigners from 159 countries – including the UK – is currently banned.

Do people in Japan want the Olympics?

There is lots of opposition to the Games, which have already been postponed by a year because of COVID-19 and have experienced setbacks, including massive budget overruns.

A June poll in the leading Asahi Shimbun newspaper suggested more than 80% of the population wanted the Games cancelled or postponed.

The paper also called for them to be cancelled.

Public spectator sites have been scrapped and companies have been hesitant about advertising related to the Olympics because of the widespread opposition to them. (BBC Sport)