Olympics in Tokyo: Daily tests for all athletes - decision about spectators in June
The organizers of the Olympic Games are further tightening the security requirements in the fight against Corona. Whether and how many viewers will be there will not be decided until June.
by SID
last edit: Apr 28, 2021, 03:00 pm
Highest security level for the dream of the safest possible Olympics in Corona times: Almost three months before the start of the Summer Games in Tokyo, the organizers published new and tightened rules of conduct. Among other things, all athletes and their immediate caregivers must be tested daily for COVID-19 during the games. Originally, the examinations were scheduled every four days.
In addition, the organizers and those responsible - the International Olympic (IOC) and Paralympic Committee (IPC), the local OC, Tokyo's regional government and the Japanese government - announced that a decision would be made on the admission of spectators and their number at the Olympics and the following Paralympics should not be taken until June.
The subject of vaccination does not appear in the new guidelines. However, it is likely, or at least very possible, that the Japanese state will adopt appropriate vaccination regulations, at least for the entry of non-athletes.
"Take all COVID-19 countermeasures"
"The five parties will continue to take all possible COVID-19 countermeasures and give top priority to safety in the interests of all participants, including the athletes and the Japanese public hosting the Games," the updated rulebook said on Wednesday Tokyo.
These "playbooks" contain a large number of rules for everyone involved in the games. "We are confident that compliance with these regulations will ensure the safety of athletes, officials and spectators as well as the general public," said a joint statement on the measures.
These stipulate that all Olympic participants - active or in other functions - have to undergo two corona tests before arriving in Tokyo, after which tests are continued at intervals that are clearly defined according to groups of people, right up to the daily rhythm of athletes.
All persons must strictly adhere to a daily routine that is defined in advance. They are not allowed to come closer than a meter to other Tokyo participants. The use of public transport outside of the official Olympic transport options is prohibited. Eating is only allowed at official Olympic locations with anti-corona measures or in the hotel - by room service or delivery service.
Currently tough restrictions in Tokyo
Most recently, the Japanese government declared the corona emergency in several prefectures with more than 30 million inhabitants, and tough restrictions also apply in Tokyo. The number of cases in Japan has been increasing for weeks, the seven-day incidence is now 27.2.
Compared to Germany, this is quite low, in the island kingdom of Japan there is still an alarm mood in view of the highest number of new infections since January. The Olympic torch relay, which is currently running through Japan, has already resulted in the exclusion of spectators and the first cancellation of a stage.
The Olympic tennis tournament is scheduled to take place from July 24th to August 1st, 2021. In 2016 in Rio Andy Murray won the men and Monica Puig the women .