Olympic athletes to be exempted from 14-day isolation

TOKYO: Athletes arriving in Tokyo for next year’s Olympic Games, postponed from 2020 because of Covid-19, will be exempt from the 14-day isolation period Japan has imposed on anyone arriving from overseas to help stop the virus from spreading.

Organisers said on Thursday details still need to be worked out, but measures for athletes are likely to include coronavirus testing within 72 hours before arriving in Japan. But they warned decisions on spectators from overseas have yet to be made, saying a 14-day quarantine was “impossible”.

“By next spring, we will be coming up with a plan for spectators, including non-Japanese spectators,” Tokyo 2020 Chief Executive Officer Toshiro Muto said.

“It is impossible to set a 14-day quarantine period for foreign spectators, so tests before and upon arrival are needed.”