Tokyo
The number of infections in Tokyo is rising again significantly. A cancellation of the Olympic Games does not seem to be up for discussion.
During the Olympic Games, the corona emergency is said to prevail again in Tokyo. In view of the significantly increasing number of infections, the government is forced to take this step, as Japanese media reported on Thursday. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga wanted to announce his decision on the same day.
The day before, the city administration had reported 920 new cases of infection. This is the highest level of new infections within 24 hours since May 13th. This means that the number of new infections for 18 days is above the value on the same day of the previous week. A cancellation of the Games does not seem to occur to Japan's Olympic organizers or the IOC. The games are due to open on July 23rd – but possibly without spectators .
Actually, Suga had only planned an extension of the quasi-emergency that was scheduled until Sunday with less strict measures. But the infection situation is so serious that there is obviously no way around an emergency. That would be the fourth for Tokyo by now. However, the state of emergency is not a lockdown with tough curfews like in other countries. While citizens are called upon to stay at home if possible, restaurants are not allowed to serve alcohol, offer karaoke and have to close earlier than normal in the evening.
According to Japanese media reports, the upcoming new Corona emergency will possibly be imposed by August 22nd, well after the end of the games. Many people in Japan fear that the games could turn into a super-spreader event. Japan's Olympic organizers and the International Olympic Committee have always emphasized that everything will be “safe”. Japan's organizers want to make a decision on the still controversial question of the admission of domestic viewers together with the central government, the city administration of Tokyo as well as the IOC and the Paralympic Committee – possibly on Thursday.
