Host towns, or municipalities that will be hosting foreign athletes who are competing in the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games next summer, will be required to take certain measures to combat the novel coronavirus. One such measure is to create a road map showing the routes the athletes will be taking during their stay, according to a central government plan obtained by The Yomiuri Shimbun.
The central government aims to take thorough measures to prevent infection among athletes and local residents by establishing certain conditions.
According to the plan, local governments accepting foreign athletes will be required to confirm the lodgings of the athletes and accompanying staffers after they enter the country and create a chart of their transportation routes. In principle, the foreign delegation will not use public transportation but instead use chartered buses and other modes of private transportation.
For their accommodations, it is proposed that the whole facility or at least an entire floor be reserved for the delegation. Meals should be served either in their rooms or in a private space that will be used exclusively by them, to avoid contact with other guests.
The plan will also require that the athletes train in private spaces, and they will not be allowed to work out with locals. However, local residents will be allowed to observe training sessions. Regarding interactions with residents, a remote or noncontact system is proposed, according to the plan.
The central government will ask local governments to develop protocols for accepting foreign athletes based on the plan. It will also consider providing support to the municipalities that will be financially burdened as a result of implementing the measures.
Testing methods for the athletes, as well as the frequency of testing, will also be discussed.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
