Anticipation continues to grow as the organisers of the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games look to answer a series of questions about the safety of participating athletes and visitors. To accommodate people involved in the impending Games, Japan is looking to drop the mandatory 14-day quarantine for athletes and even setting up a dedicated Covid-19 health centre at the athletes’ village.
According to The Japan Times, the Japanese government is now considering exempting overseas visitors coming to Tokyo for the Games from the two-week quarantine requirement, too. Currently, a 14-day quarantine is required for all international travellers entering Japan. Only Japanese nationals and some short-term business travellers are exempted from this rule.
If the new proposal is approved, visitors will likely be required to show proof of multiple negative Covid-19 tests prior to departure and agree to have their health condition monitored while in Japan. Unlike foreign athletes and other types of visitors, though, Olympic spectators from overseas could be allowed to use public transport while in Japan. The government will also consider granting entry to people from countries where coronavirus cases are rising. These matters are expected to be discussed at a committee meeting on Thursday.
In other related news, refunds for Olympic tickets have started in November, and Tokyo 2020 organisers are set to make a decision on the maximum number of spectators allowed in each venue sometime in spring.
Follow live updates on the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic in Tokyo and Japan here.
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