Tokyo: The Tokyo Olympic organizer warned on Friday they were ready to hold a game behind the closed door as a case of a virus rising, leaving the ticket holder in Limbo only three weeks before the opening ceremony.
It happened a day after Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga also said that empty places remained the possibility of pandemic-postponed games.
The organizer decided last month to set a limit of 10,000 domestic fans, or half of the capacity of each place, for the Olympic event.
But the rebound in the Covid-19 case in Tokyo has sparked fears that the audience could spread infection, with the government expected to expand the anti-virus steps that cover the capital.
“The situation of the infection changes on a daily basis, and is still unclear what situation will be seen,” said President Seiko Hashimoto told reporters.
“But from the Tokyo 2020 perspective, no audience is a choice so we can be ready for whatever the situation.” Local media reports say the Olympic head will meet next Thursday to discuss this issue.
Recognizing “inconvenience and concern” among fans who have bought tickets for the event, Hashimoto promised to make a decision “quickly”.
The Japanese virus outbreak has been relatively light, with around 14,800 deaths, but experts warn the wave of other cases can stretch medical services when the game starts.
Only more than 11 percent of the population are fully vaccinated so far.
The case increased because the emergency was revoked last month and was replaced with a softer limit, which allowed up to 5,000 spectators on sports events.
The steps will expire on July 11, but the government is expected to extend them at the beginning of next week – meaning they can still be in place when the match is open on July 23.
Hashimoto said every decision would be considered in line with government policy.
“It’s not us determined to have an audience regardless of the situation,” Hashimoto said.
“We will follow the government standards.
Unless it is safe and safe, we cannot allow the audience.” But he cannot guarantee that the ticket lottery for events is overquest, because it takes place on Tuesday, will advance on schedule.
The organizers need to get back around 900,000 from 3.6 million tickets that have been spoken, with reductions needed in eight sports and opening and closing ceremonies.
No more tickets to be sold and the audience from abroad has been forbidden to attend.
Japanese media reported that several options would be on the table when the local organizers met officials from the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympics Committee, the National Government and the Tokyo Government.
Daily Yomiuri Shimbun said Friday that the audience could be banned from events held at night or in large places, citing unnamed sources.