[TOKYO] Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga formally declared on Thursday a state of emergency in Tokyo, putting restrictions aimed at curbing coronavirus infections in place through August 22.

Mr Suga said the measures would not interfere with holding the Games. “We will host the Games under the state of emergency,” he told reporters. “I think we can realise a safe and secure Games by taking these measures.”

Olympic organisers will ban all spectators from the Games as the state of emergency for Tokyo will run through its hosting of the event to curb a new wave of infections.

The ban on spectators would mark the latest blow to the troubled Olympics, delayed by a year because of the pandemic and plagued by a series of setbacks, including massive budget overruns.

Medical experts have said for weeks that having no spectators at the Games would be the least risky option amid widespread public fears that an influx of thousands of athletes and officials will fuel a fresh wave of infections.

"I, of course, support 'no spectators' but concerns will never disappear as long as we have a big event like the Games, along with holidays and the vacation season," said Yuki Furuse, a Kyoto University professor working with the government's coronavirus experts group.

GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY

Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign UpVIEW ALL

Mr Furuse recently projected that new daily cases in Tokyo could increase to 1,000 in July and 2,000 in August, raising the risk of hospitals in the capital region running out of beds.

REUTERS