Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike stressed the importance of ensuring a "safe and secure" Games for para-athletes at a meeting with International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons on Monday.
The two officials vowed to take measures to prevent the increased spread of novel coronavirus at the Tokyo Paralympics during the discussion, which was held at the Tokyo metropolitan government building.
"Given the special circumstances with the para-athletes, we must ensure the event is particularly safe and secure," Koike said at the meeting.
She also urged athletes and those concerned with the Games to thoroughly abide by the Tokyo 2020 Playbook, a compilation of coronavirus control guidelines.
Parsons said the committee will work together with the Tokyo metropolitan government and the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to take measures against infections.
Regarding the field trip program planned for schoolchildren, in which students visit Paralympic venues, Koike told the press on Monday evening she was planning to have the students take PCR tests.
--Suga attends welcome ceremony
The Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games held a welcome ceremony for IPC officials at a hotel in Tokyo on Monday evening.
Guests included about 40 IPC officials. IPC President Andrew Parsons; Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga; Tamayo Marukawa, minister for the Games, and Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike also attended the ceremony.
According to the organizing committee, neither food nor alcohol was served.
Before the opening of the Olympic Games, a similar ceremony was held with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and others invited.
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