Tokyo: Japan’s premier extended on Friday a state of emergency in Tokyo and three other areas until the end of May to stem a surge in novel coronavirus cases fuelled by the spread of virus variants just months before the Tokyo Olympics.

The government had hoped a “short and powerful” state of emergency would contain a fourth wave of infection, but new cases in major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka are still at high levels, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said, announcing the decision.

A security guard urges people not to watch a half-marathon in Sapporo in northern Japan on Wednesday to curb the spread of COVID-19.Credit:AP

Still, Japan and the International Olympic Committee insist the Games will take place, though foreign spectators have been banned. A decision on domestic spectators will be made by June, Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto repeated on Friday.

Upcoming test events for the Olympics, including an athletics event at the weekend, will not be affected by the extension of the state of emergency. The diving World Cup, which featured more than 200 athletes from 50 countries, was held in Tokyo this past week under the current state of emergency.

But in Fukuoka, the Olympic torch relay scheduled on May 11 and 12 would be cancelled on public roads in some cities, media reported, citing the prefectural governor. Hyogo prefecture is also likely keep the relay off public roads when its turn comes later this month, Kyodo said.

Reuters

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