Tokyo Olympics 2020: Japan PM warns of closed-door Games as COVID cases rise
Firstpost“There is a possibility of there being no spectators” at the Games, Suga said on Thursday. “We will act with the safety and security of the Japanese people as our top priority.” Tokyo: Japan’s prime minister has warned that the Tokyo Olympics could be held behind closed doors, as virus cases rise in the city just three weeks before the Games begin. But Yoshihide Suga repeated cautions that spectators could be locked out of competitions if the situation worsens, with the government expected to extend anti-virus measures covering Tokyo as new cases climb. “We will act with the safety and security of the Japanese people as our top priority.” The Yomiuri Shimbun daily said on Friday that spectators could be barred from events held in the evening or in large venues, citing unnamed sources. Japan’s virus outbreak has been less severe than in many countries, with around 14,800 deaths overall, but experts warn that another wave of cases could stretch medical services around the time of the Games.