Virus Experts Submit Views On Tokyo Games
The head of the Japanese government's advisory panel on the coronavirus and other volunteer experts have submitted their views on possible virus situations before, during and after the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Omi Shigeru and other experts submitted on Friday their opinions to Hashimoto Seiko, the President of the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The experts have been warning that simulations show infections could pick up in July and August even if the vaccine rollout proceeds smoothly across Japan. They also warn that the virus resurgence could pick up speed due to more transmissible variants.
They warn that the Games could invite larger flows of people, which could result in another wave of infections that would strain the healthcare system.
Many of the experts believe that holding the Games without spectators is desirable.
They say that if spectators are allowed at Olympic venues, more rigorous restrictions should be applied than the current ones for large-scale events.
They also say spectators should be limited to local residents to discourage flows of people across prefectural borders. They add that events should stop allowing spectators if there are any signs of an expansion of infections.
The experts plan to hold a news conference at 6 p.m. on Friday.
Hashimoto urged the organizing committee's expert panel on the coronavirus to discuss how to ensure the safety of the Games based on the views she has received.
She hinted that details of the management of the Games, including how many spectators will be allowed at venues, will be decided at a meeting of the five involved parties as early as next week. The parties include the Japanese government and the International Olympic Committee.