Japan Reportedly Preparing for Tokyo Olympics Without Overseas Spectators
The Olympics is the most popular sporting event in the world. The 2016 Olympic Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro for example had global audience of approximately 3.2 billion. Besides TV viewership, the host country also sees a big boost in tourism. People travel from all over the world to experience their favorite events in person.
As you know, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were postponed until this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. But people that are gearing up for the event and already booking flights and hotels, should really take a look at cancelation policies. For now, the Japanese government has begun preparations to host the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer without accepting overseas spectators, Mainichi newspaper reports. A source close to the government told the Mainichi outlet that “under current circumstances, we cannot accept spectators from overseas.”
Organizers of the Tokyo Olympics will make an official decision later this month whether to allow spectators from overseas, while limits on domestic fans will be determined in April.
Japan is currently preparing to extend its second state of emergency in the Tokyo region. It is set to expire on March 7, by will be extended by two weeks. Coronavirus cases have dropped in the capital since hitting a record high in January, but the slowing pace of decline is raising concerns. Japan has effectively closed its borders to international travelers since last year.
There are some exclusions to the travel ban, such as family reunions and medical treatment. With the Olympics approaching, the Japanese government plans to update the list to include athletes and coaches.
