Olympics: Tokyo Games athletes to be exempted from coronavirus entry bans
- Athletes will monitor their own health and must test negative for Covid-19 within 72 hours of leaving their home countries
- Participants will be able to practice or compete during the 14-day quarantine period, but movements will be limited
The Japanese government has decided to set up a system to exempt athletes competing at next year’s Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games from entry restrictions currently placed on 159 countries and regions due to the coronavirus that forced the games’ postponement, sources familiar with the matter said on Friday.
The athletes will be expected to monitor their own health and test negative for the coronavirus within 72 hours of leaving their own country.
They will be tested again upon entering Japan, and will have their movements monitored and restricted after arrival.
The local organising committee and the Tokyo metropolitan government are expected to reach an agreement on establishing the system at their next meeting on September 23.
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After imposing heavy restrictions on the entry of foreign nationals in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Japan has begun easing conditions for business travellers from a number of countries.
The government is looking at a similar system for athletes at the games next summer.
Athletes will be able to practice or compete in the 14-day quarantine period after arrival, but their movements will be limited to accommodation and venues specific to training and competing in their specific sports, in accordance with travel plans submitted to authorities in advance.
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While they will basically be prohibited from taking public transport, athletes can catch commercial flights or bullet trains where required, provided they follow certain precautions to limit contact with the general public.
To ensure safety from the coronavirus, the organisers are also looking at establishing rules covering the movements and activities of all athletes, including those who have completed their 14-day quarantines.
