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The organizers unveiled a "playbook" detailing
COVID-19 measures that will be taken during the Summer Games
this year. They also asked fans not to sing or chant to support
athletes.
Officials said they must make a decision on the number of
overall spectators that would be allowed by Spring.
Japan has been hit less severely by the pandemic than many other
advanced economies, with fewer than 6,000 deaths recorded so
far. But a recent surge in cases forced it to close its borders
to non-resident foreigners and declare a state of emergency in
some parts of the country.
There are public fears that an influx of athletes will spread
the virus, and polls show a majority of Japanese residents
oppose the Games taking place this year.
An official for the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee said it was
important to ensure that the local medical system and the
Olympics were both sustainable.
Pierre Ducrey, the International Olympic Committee's games
operations director, told a joint press briefing that the games
would be a "different experience".
Delegations and staff will be required to appoint a COVID-19
liaison officer, who will be responsible for ensuring the
participants follow the guidelines. The playbook also advises
against shopping at the airport upon arrivals in Japan.
(Reporting by Jack Tarrant and Sakura Murakami; writing by Ju-min
Park and Mari Saito; Editing by Toby Chopra and Alex Richardson)
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