Shigeru Omi, chairman of the government's subcommittee on measures against the novel coronavirus, has proposed that Tokyo Games-related public viewing events be canceled.
"If public viewings are held, [participants] will want to cheer out loud," Omi said during a meeting of the House of Representatives' committee on health, welfare and labor on Wednesday.
Expressing his concerns about the spread of the virus through these public gatherings in which the Olympics and Paralympics are broadcast on large screens set up in open squares and other such locations, he added, "It is a good opportunity for a 'new style of cheering at home' through watching the Games on TV."
The same day, Aichi Gov. Hideaki Omura announced that he wants people to refrain from public viewing of the Games, as well as group viewing at restaurants and other such venues, as he is concerned about the increased risk of infection.
He requested in writing the cooperation of representatives of municipalities and various organizations in his prefecture.
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