“People are moving around more and the Delta variant,which is highly infectious,is accounting for about 30 per cent of cases,” he said.
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The Japanese capital emerged from a state of emergency on June 20 and Olympics organisers were hopeful of allowing 10,000 domestic fans to attend – or 50 per cent capacity – but those prospects appear to have been dashed.
The International Olympic Committee and Tokyo Organising Committee are expected to outline further details after midnight AEST.
Compared to restrictions in other countries,Japan’s emergency measures are relatively light. Schools,cinemas,department stores and gyms have remained open. The public has been asked to limit social contact,but this has not been enforced.
Authorities have also been reluctant to introduce stay-at-home orders or closures of non-essential businesses.
Beyond limits on spectators,the state of emergency is expected to largely target alcohol sales by stopping bars and restaurants selling drinks to prevent transmission indoors in tightly-packed venues.
When the state of emergency was last lifted on June 20 bars were permitted to serve alcohol again but only until 8pm or risk being fined.
A Nikkei survey of 300 Tokyo bars and restaurants on Wednesday found 40 per cent were still selling drinks after 8pm regardless of the restrictions.The government is also facing an ongoing legal challenge from one of Japan’s most high-profile restaurant chains,Global-Dining,which argues the limits are a breach of freedom of business guaranteed by the constitution.
The empty Tokyo stadiums would leave venues in Sapporo,where the Australian men’s football team will open their campaign;Fukushima,where the Australian women’s softball team will take the hosts on July 21;and the Izu cycling velodrome as some of the only venues to host a limited number of spectators.
Dr Shigeru Omi,the head of the Japanese government’s COVID-19 panel told a parliamentary hearing last week the Olympics would increase infections.
“There are many risks that can trigger an upsurge,” he said.
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In a rare public statement on June 24,a spokesman forEmperor Naruhito said the Palace was concerned about the Games.
“Given the public’s worries,he appears to me to be concerned about whether the Olympics and Paralympics event,for which he is an honorary patron,would cause infections to spread,” Imperial Household Grand Steward Yasuhiko Nishimura said.
Suga is facing ongoing political pressure overthe decision to continue supporting the Games as he prepares to face an election before October. His ruling Liberal Democratic Party failed to win a majority in local Tokyo government elections on Sunday.
with Reuters
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