Olympics Likely To Open During COVID ‘State Of Emergency’

TOKYO (AP) — New COVID-19 cases in Tokyo have hit a two-month high that almost guarantees the Japanese government will declare a new state of emergency to start next week and continue for the duration of the Tokyo Olympics.

They open in just over two weeks on July 23. That could lead to a ban even on local fans. That decision is expected on Friday when local organizers meet with the International Olympic Committee and others.

Fans from abroad were banned months ago. Just two weeks ago organizers and the IOC decided to allow venues to be filed to 50% of capacity but not to exceed 10,000.

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The soaring cases are likely to mean that venues will be without any fans although sponsors, VIPs and others may have access.