Increased Testing, More Restrictions Announced for Participants at Tokyo Olympics 86 Days from Opening

3 years ago StraightArrow Comments Off on Increased Testing, More Restrictions Announced for Participants at Tokyo Olympics 86 Days from Opening


April 28, 2021

Increased Covid-19 testing and more restrictions will be imposed on participants–athletes, officials, media–at the Olympics in Tokyo just 86 days before opening, the organizing groups announced Wednesday.

The new restrictions, toughened from earlier requirements for the Games already delayed for a year, were announced by  the International Olympic and Paralympic Committees, Tokyo Organizing Committee,Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the government of Japan that they said was agreement on measures to ensure safe organization of the Games.

Foreign spectators have already been banned from the Games. A decision on Japanese spectators will be made in June.

Rulebooks that were published two months ago have been “reviewed and significantly updated” to deal with “the emergence of new mutant coronavirus strains and the evolving situation of the pandemic.”

The new rules require:

–Two COVID-19 tests before flights to Japan;

–Athletes and all those in close proximity will be tested daily to minimize the risk of undetected positive cases;

–Other participants will be tested daily for three days after their arrival, and regularly thereafter;

–All participants must only follow the activities outlined in their activity plan, minimize contact within one meter/3 ft. 3 ins. of Games participants who have already been in Japan for more than 14 days and Japanese residents;

–Use only dedicated Games vehicles, public transport not allow, and

–Eat only in limited locations where COVID-19 countermeasures are in place, including catering facilities at Games venues, accommodation’s restaurant and their rooms, using room service or food delivery.

Close contacts are defined as contact for 15 minutes or more with a person who has a confirmed positive COVID-19 test, within one meter without wearing a face mask.

“The Playbooks have been developed based on science, benefiting from learnings gathered during the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic.” the statement said. “In addition to implementing the most effective tools being used throughout society, such as mask wearing, personal hygiene and physical distancing, they also draw upon the experience of hundreds of sports events that have taken place across the world during the pandemic, which have been held safely, with minimal risk to participants and the local population.”