Tokyo’s COVID-19 emergency to last through Summer Olympics

July 8 (UPI) — Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Thursday declared a state of emergency for the city of Tokyo that will last through the Summer Olympic Games, which begin this month, and might keep fans from attending.

The emergency will begin on Monday, when the current emergency expires, and will run through Aug. 22. The Summer Games run July 23-Aug. 8.

Suga convened a government meeting on Wednesday night, which resulted in the extended emergency.

International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach arrived in Tokyo on Thursday to meet with with Seiko Hashimoto, head of Tokyo’s organizing committee, and Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike.

The leaders are expected to discuss a new spectator policy under the emergency, which could remove fans at the Olympics. Officials have limited the Games to only local spectators, but Bach and the Japanese leaders could ultimately make the tournament off-limits to them, as well.

One option is to ban all fans from late-night competitions at large venues — those with a capacity of 5,000 or more — which would include the Opening Ceremony. Exceptions could be made for “special guests,” IOC members, sponsors and foreign dignitaries.

After quarantining for three days at a Tokyo hotel, Bach will visit the athletes’ village in the Harumi waterfront district and meet with top organizers and officials.

Local organizers and the IOC announced last month that they would limit venues to 50% capacity up to 10,000 people.

A torchbearer lights the celebration cauldron during the Olympic torch relay at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse park in Yokohama, Japan, on June 30, 2021. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

A torchbearer passes the flame during relay. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

The torch relay was cancelled on public roads in Kanagawa Prefecture to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

Japanese actor Takeshi Tsuruno runs the flame during the torch relay at Tsujido Kandai Park in Fujisawa, Kanagawa-Prefecture, Japan on June 28. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

A celebration cauldron is displayed during the torch relay at Tsujido Kandai Park. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

Torchbearers pose for cameras during the relay. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

Spectators are seen taking photos during the relay at Tsujido Kandai Park. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

Torchbearers pose for cameras. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

A torchbearer and her friends pose for cameras. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

Torchbearer Shingo Suetsugu, a Japanese sprinter, runs the flame during the torch relay at Nino-maru parking lot of Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto, Japan, on May 6, 2021. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

A torchbearer runs the flame in Kumamoto, Japan. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

A torchbearer passes the flame to the next torchbearer during the torch relay. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

Governor of Kumamoto Prefecture Ikuo Kabashima (L) speaks during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic torch relay at Yatsushiro Harmony Hall in Yatsushiro, Japan, on May 5, 2021. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

The celebration cauldron is displayed during the last leg of the torch relay. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

Torchbearer and former badminton player of Japan’s national team Kimiko Jinnai runs the flame in Yatsushiro, Japan. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

Spectators take photos with an Olympic torch replica during the last leg of the relay. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

A torchbearer runs during the torch relay on the second day in Kawamata, Fukushima-Prefecture, Japan on March 26. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

Tokyo 2020 staff members transfer the Olympic flame from the torch to a lantern during the torch relay on the second day. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

Former volleyball player Motoko Obayashi runs the flame during the last leg of the second day. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

Junior high school students perform during the last leg of the second day of the torch relay at Tsuruga castle in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima-Prefecture. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

Spectators take photos with Olympic torch replica. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

Spectators hold signs along the torch relay route in Iitate, Fukushima-Prefecture. Olympic officials say the journey will take the torch to 859 municipalities in all 47 Japanese prefectures. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

Villagers of Iitate perform during the torch relay. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

Members of the Japanese women’s national football team, who won the women’s World Cup in 2011, carry an Olympic Torch during the relay grand start at J-Village National Training Centre in Naraha, Fukushima-Prefecture, on March 25, 2021. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

Azusa Iwashimizu (R), member of the Japanese women’s national football team who won the 2011 women’s World Cup, passes the Olympic flame to high school student Asato Owada at a torch “kiss point” during the torch relay grand start. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

A torchbearer runs during the relay on the first day near the Futaba station in Futaba, Fukushima-Prefecture. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

Fukishima was chosen as the starting point as it became a symbol of resilience after the 2011 earthquake and nuclear disaster. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

A Tokyo 2020 staff member transfers the Olympic flame from the torch during Olympic torch relay. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

Three-time Olympic gold medalists Saori Yoshida (L) and Tadahiro Nomura light the torch during the Olympic Flame Arrival Ceremony at Japan Air Self-Defense Force Matsushima Base in Higashi-Matsushima, Miyagi prefecture, Japan on March 20,2021. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo