As COVID–19 cases continue to surge in Tokyo, the spike almost guarantees the Japanese government will be forced to declare a new state of emergency, just as the Olympics are set to start next week and for the duration of the games.
According to ESPN, the International Olympic Committee president, Thomas Bach, is scheduled to arrive in Tokyo on Thursday. Once in Tokyo, he will isolate for three days in the IOC’s five-star hotel and will then have to deal with l the reality of the rising cases.
A new state of emergency could lead to a ban on even local area fans. That decision is expected to be made on Friday when local organizers meet with the IOC and others.
Tokyo reported 920 new covid cases on Wednesday, up from 714 last Wednesday. It is the highest total increase since 1,010 cases were reported on May 13.
Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga met with key ministers to discuss virus measures and reportedly consider reinstating a state of emergency in the capital until August 22nd. The Olympics games end on August 8th.
