The Tokyo Olympics is scheduled to begin on July 23. With just over a month until the biggest sporting event in the world opens, organisers have now announced that a limited number of domestic spectators will be allowed to attend.

According to reports, attendance will be capped at up to 50 per cent of a venue’s capacity, up to a maximum of 10,000 people. All of the spectators must be Japanese residents, after it was announced back in March that no overseas visitors would be permitted to attend.

The long-awaited decision was made by five organising bodies, including local organisers, the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, the Japanese government and the government of metropolitan Tokyo at a virtual meeting. Under guidelines drafted by the organising committee, spectators must wear masks in venues at all times. They are requested to travel directly to venues and return home immediately in order to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Speaking loudly or shouting during the games is also prohibited. 

Speaking about the decision, local organising committee president Seiko Hashimoto said, “We need to be very flexible. If there is an announcement of a state of emergency during the games, all the options like no-spectator games will be examined.” 

On a side note, the organisers said they will decide on spectator limits for the Paralympics by July 16, a week before the Olympics is set to begin.

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