Bach, IOC President, Says Japan's COVID-19 State of Emergency Re-declaration Unrelated to Olympics

▲Thomas Bach, IOC President [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Regarding the Japanese government's declaration of a third state of emergency in four metropolitan areas including Tokyo to respond to COVID-19, Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), stated that "the measures are not related to the Olympics."

According to Kyodo News on the 22nd, Bach held a press conference after an online board meeting the previous day and said about the state of emergency, "I understand it as a proactive preemptive measure by the Japanese government to prevent the spread of COVID-19 ahead of Golden Week," adding, "It is unrelated to the Tokyo Olympics."

Bach expressed optimism about the Tokyo Olympics, saying, "With a high vaccination rate, the Olympic Village will be a very safe place."

As a basis for this, he mentioned the United States and other countries, saying, "Although vaccinations are delayed within Japan, many participants will be vaccinated (before the event)."

Kyodo News pointed out that Bach's remarks are distant from the negative public opinion within Japan regarding the hosting of the Olympics.

The Japanese government is scheduled to decide on the declaration of the third state of emergency targeting four metropolitan areas?Tokyo, Osaka Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture, and Hyogo Prefecture?at a COVID-19 countermeasures headquarters meeting on the 23rd.

In the areas where the state of emergency is in effect, the heads of the respective local governments can request or order the closure of multi-use facilities such as restaurants, department stores, and movie theaters, and various events where people gather will be canceled or postponed.

The enforcement period is being considered to start as early as the 25th, lasting until either the 11th or 16th of next month for the Tokyo area, and for 3 weeks to 1 month for the Osaka area.

This period overlaps with this year's holiday known as "Golden Week" in Japan (April 29 to May 5).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.