Suga: Possibly No Spectators If Tokyo In Emergency
Japan's Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has indicated that the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games will likely be held without spectators if a state of emergency is declared during the Games.
On Friday, the government advisory panel chief Omi Shigeru and other experts suggested that it is desirable that the Games should be held without spectators. They also proposed that if spectators are to be allowed, then stricter restrictions should be adopted than the current standards for large-scale events.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Suga suggested that he would take into account the proposals by Omi and others. He added that if it becomes necessary to declare a state of emergency, he will give top priority to making the Games safe and secure for the public.
He said he will do so while considering holding events without spectators in a flexible manner.
When pressed by reporters to comment further on the matter, Suga said it is very much possible that the Games will be held without spectators during a state of emergency.
He said it is only natural that safety and security come first, and for this to happen, he will not hesitate to ban spectators.