The Summer Games in Tokyo will be held without spectators, organizers said Thursday, delivering another major blow to the Olympics less than two weeks before festivities begin.
Olympics Minister Tamayo Marukawa announced the decision after Japanese officials imposed a state of emergency in Tokyo that runs until Aug. 22.
It is the latest setback for the games that were delayed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic and will feature a number of restrictions.
Foreign fans were banned early on, though plans to allow up to 10,000 Japanese fans or 50% capacity of venues had to be scrapped after Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said an emergency order will go into effect Monday.
“New cases in the greater Tokyo metropolitan area have been rising since June,” said Mr. Suga, according to the Japan Times. “Stronger measures have become necessary in those areas, but could be lifted early if we see evidence of the positive impact of the vaccine rollout.”
International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach and other organizers met in Tokyo before announcing the spectator ban.
For months, doctors and members of the public have slammed the games as a potential super spreader in the face of outbreaks that continue to dog Japanese cities amid a slow, yet improving, vaccine rollout.
The new state of emergency will last until after the Olympics conclude on Aug. 8, but end before the Paralympic Games from Aug. 24 to Sept. 5.
The White House said Thursday it supports Japan’s decision to go forward with the games and remains in close contact with Japanese officials.
It is unclear whether first lady Jill Biden will attend the opening ceremony, a possibility President Biden raised in June.
“We’re still assessing the feasibility of the first lady attending and our advance team arrives in Tokyo later this week,” Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.
