Tokyo Neighbours Report Record Cases! Minister Reluctant to Halt Olympics
Even before the start, the Tokyo Olympic Games ended up becoming the most expensive Olympics ever. Although the government decided to follow through with the plans despite public opposition, it was evident from the start that financial cost wasn’t the only thing they had to worry about.
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As with every live event in the pandemic, even the Olympics had to take a lot of precautions while carrying out the games. But, unfortunately, while it should keep the athletes and the public safe, it did not go as it was intended to.
The local governments of Chiba, Saitama, and Kanagawa prefectures have requested the national government to extend the state of emergency in Tokyo to their prefectures. Meanwhile, Tokyo’s current state of emergency will last till 22nd August 2021.
The request came in after a record number of COVID cases were reported in all three prefectures and Tokyo in a single day, three days after the opening ceremony.
All three prefectures are neighbors of Tokyo, where some of the events are taking place.
Although spectators are not allowed in any competition, some outdoor events like triathlon and cycling are attracting irregulated audiences along the routes. This with the dominant delta variant seems to be responsible for the spike.
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Despite the crisis, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is reluctant to cancel or modify the Games. Instead, he has stated that he is working with the local governments to prevent the spread of infection.
Hospitals in Tokyo were already pushed to their limits as it is; now that some of the medical staff was allocated to the Olympics, the situation is likely to worsen if the current trend continues.
For now, all we can do is pray for the country, hoping that everyone stays safe during this crisis, and the Games go as planned.
Source: NHK World
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