Torch relay spectators must be masked, socially distanced, organisers say

FILE PHOTO: A man looks at his mobile phone next to The Olympic rings in front of the Japan Olympics Museum in Tokyo, Japan, March 4, 2020. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov//File Photo

Tokyo Olympic organisers on Tuesday unveiled COVID-19 countermeasures for the torch relay as they reduce the number of participants and simplify the programme for the marquee event to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Participants will need to be masked, socially distanced from each other and not cheer out loud, organisers said in a statement.

The 121-day torch relay is set to begin on March 25 from the J-Village training centre in Fukushima, launching the build-up towards the start of the Games on July 23.

(Reporting by Chris Gallagher; Editing by Chang-Ran Kim)