Tokyo’s State of Emergency Eliminates Spectators from Olympic Facilities

Facility managers and custodians at Olympic arenas and facilities in Tokyo won’t have to contend with cleaning up after crowds of spectators this year. A national state of emergency has caused Tokyo’s governor to ban all fans from attending Olympic events at both indoor and outdoor sites, the Associated Press (AP) reports.

The Japanese government placed Tokyo under a COVID-19 state of emergency due to rising new cases of the delta variant last week. Olympic organizers, the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, and the metropolitan government of Tokyo all agreed to the provision that local fans will not be permitted in the Olympic Games, according to AP.

“Many people were looking forward to watching the games at the venues, but I would like everyone to fully enjoy watching the games on TV at home,” said Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike. “It’s gut-wrenching because many people looked forward to watching at the venues.”

“No fans was a very difficult decision,” added Seiko Hashimoto, president of the organizing committee.

Bars, restaurants, and karaoke parlors serving alcohol are also expected to close. “How to stop people enjoying the Olympics from going out for drinks is a main issue,” said Norihisa Tamura, Japan’s health minister.

Tokyo’s state of emergency started July 12 and will be in effect until August 22. The Olympic Summer Games take place July 23 to August 8.