Status: 07/14/2021 12:42 p.m.
For the first time in two months, there are more than 1,000 new corona cases in Tokyo – a few days before the start of the Olympic Games. Many Japanese fear a “superspreading event”, but IOC President Bach appeased them.
A few days before the start of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, the corona numbers rise in the Japanese capital. On Wednesday, the authorities registered 1149 new infections. This is the first time in around two months that the number is above the 1,000 case mark, although the fourth state of emergency has ruled Tokyo since the beginning of this week. For almost a month now, the number of new infections has been above the value of the previous week.
According to the IOC, there were hardly any corona cases among the foreigners who traveled to the Olympics in the first half of July when they arrived in Japan – the number of confirmed infections is in the single-digit range. Those affected were immediately isolated, and close contacts also had to undergo quarantine measures, said the International Olympic Committee (IOC). All those involved in the summer games, who have already arrived, have undergone extensive tests and health checks, it said.
Spectators excluded
Many Japanese fear that the Olympic Games could become a “superspreading event”. The games are slated to open on July 23rd. In surveys, a majority of the population had always spoken out in favor of another postponement or rejection.
Nevertheless, Japan and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are sticking to their plans. IOC President Thomas Bach assured Japan “need not be concerned about security”. A cancellation of the games was never considered. “That was never really an option. The IOC won’t let the athletes down.” At the same time, Bach admitted that he had doubts “every day” for the past 15 months. All decisions were always accompanied by great uncertainty. The IOC was unable to speak publicly about this. “How else can you convince an athlete to continue training,” said the IOC President.
To prevent the virus from spreading, spectators have been banned from almost all competitions – including locals. Entry is only permitted to athletes, officials and media representatives from abroad who are directly involved in the Olympics.
Bach: Fantastic work by the organizing committee
Bach conveyed his thanks and respect for the Japanese people to Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga at a meeting. “The organizing committee has done a fantastic job preparing these games to make Tokyo the best-prepared Olympic city of all time.”
Bach emphasized again that 85 percent of the athletes and officials in the Olympic Village are vaccinated against Corona or are immune to those who have recovered. “The Games will be watched by billions of people around the world. They will admire what the Japanese people have achieved under these difficult conditions,” said the IOC chief.
The Olympic Village in Tokyo opened yesterday. Around 18,000 athletes will live in the 21 buildings. Usually, the athletes’ village is the party zone and meeting place for athletes from all countries. But in Tokyo, the Olympians can expect a completely different atmosphere full of strict rules. So they always have to keep a distance of at least two meters, even when eating. The athletes should reduce contacts, neither hug each other nor shake hands, and only spend a short time in the cafeteria, if possible. They are only allowed to drink alcohol in their rooms, it is forbidden in public areas.
Suga under pressure
The alcohol ban in force during the Tokyo Games is becoming more and more a bone of contention. The government is accused of authoritarian attempts to enforce the controversial measure. Suga, who was already under pressure because of his handling of the corona pandemic, was recently forced to make a public apology.
The reason was a request by his government, which has meanwhile been withdrawn, to wholesalers, restaurants and bars, who defied the ban on serving, to stop supplying alcohol. The government also had to withdraw plans to call on lenders of such restaurants and bars to put pressure on their customers after criticism. The government is now trying to limit the damage, especially since elections for the powerful lower house of parliament are due in October at the latest.
For the time being, restaurants and bars are not allowed to serve alcohol until August 22nd and have to close at 8 p.m. In view of the slow payment of “cooperation funds” to companies that adhere to the requirements, some companies have disregarded the alcohol ban.