Tokyo 2020 organisers are expected to meet this week to review the upper limit of 10,000 spectators at events announced two weeks ago, amid a renewed uptick in Covid cases in Japan.
Kyodo News reported that a lower cap of 5,000 spectators is being considered. The news agency said new limits under consideration could also mean that events after 9pm would be behind closed doors and that 40 per cent of the 750 planned events at the Games would take place without spectators.
The decision is likely to hinge on another upcoming decision by the Japanese government on whether to lift ‘quasi state of emergency’ Covid restrictions in Tokyo and other areas. These restrictions are currently due to end on July 11. But the easing of full state of emergency restrictions several weeks ago has led to a slight uptick in Covid cases.
Kyodo reported last week that the Tokyo 2020 organisers and the Japanese government may hold a meeting this Thursday to reconsider the 10,000 spectators cap.
The organisers have said they will keep all options on the table for running the Olympics safely, including having no spectators.
