The day that IOC President Thomas Bach arrived in Tokyo coincides with the Japanese government’s decision to again declare a state of emergency in Tokyo because of an increase in Covid-19 infections. On last Wednesday, 920 new cases were reported, the highest number since May. This may also affect the Games: no Japanese audience in the stands after all. It is the fourth time that a state of emergency will apply in the Tokyo region, since the outbreak of the Corona virus. Experts expect the number of infections to rise even further in the run-up to the Games. The state of emergency will be in effect from Monday through August 22 and will also apply during the Games. They begin July 23 and end August 8. The IOC is consulting this afternoon on what the new situation means for the public at the event. At an early stage it was decided that fans from abroad are not welcome in Japan. At the moment it is still planned that the stadiums will be partly filled with Japanese spectators. But it is possible that the Games will be held without an audience at all. At the opening ceremony on 23 July, only VIPs would be allowed to enter.
Source: Horses.nl/NOS
