Experts fear pandemic surge during Olympic GamesJapan is set to place Tokyo under a state of emergency that would last through the Olympics, fearing an ongoing COVID-19 surge will multiply during the Games. At a meeting with experts Thursday, July 8, 2021, morning, government officials proposed a plan to issue a state of emergency in Tokyo from next Monday to Aug. 22. Also read: Editorial on Tokyo Olympics | In two mindsThe Games already will take place without foreign spectators, but the planned six-week state of emergency likely ends chances of a local audience. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is to formally announce the emergency plans later Thursday, hours after IOC President Thomas Bach was to land in Tokyo. “The period from July to September is the most critical time for Japan’s COVID-19 measures,” Omi said.

Source: The Hindu July 08, 2021 02:37 UTC