Coronavirus: Japan could extend curbs into Olympic Games period; half of Australia under lockdown

Japanese officials are considering extending a ‘quasi emergency’ by up to four weeks, which would overlap with the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Elsewhere, Australia extended its virus curbs and South Korea reported a spike in infections a day before it eases physical distancing restrictions

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People walk past banners advertising the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. The Japanese capital is likely to be under emergency measures during the Games. Photo: Reuters

Published: 3:00pm, 30 Jun 2021Updated: 12:01am, 1 Jul 2021

Japan is considering an extension of its coronavirus prevention measures in Tokyo and other areas by two weeks to a month, Japanese media said, with less than a month to go until the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are set to open.

The Japanese capital and other areas are currently under a ‘quasi’ state of emergency set to be lifted on July 12, but a recent uptick in coronavirus cases has officials concerned and could affect the number of spectators allowed in to Olympics venues.

According to the Mainichi daily, the government is considering extending the measures by two to four weeks, a period that would overlap with the Olympic Games that open on July 23.

A government meeting on coronavirus measures is set to be held later on Wednesday to discuss ways of dealing with signs of an impending surge in coronavirus numbers that has experts worried, along with concern about the spread of more highly transmissible variants.

“Any decisions regarding quasi-emergency measures will be taken based on policies we have in place,” chief cabinet secretary Katsunobu Kato told a news conference.

Under the ‘quasi’ state of emergency, spectators at events are capped at 5,000. Olympics organisers have ruled that spectators will be allowed up to 50 per cent of the venue capacity or a maximum of 10,000, though foreign spectators have been banned.