Fukushima, Hokkaido also ban Olympic spectators

On Jul 11, 2021

Two more prefectures – Fukushima and Hokkaido – outside the immediate Tokyo area have decided to bar fans from attending Olympic events because of the rising Coronavirus infections, Tokyo Olympic organisers confirmed yesterday with the pandemic-delayed games opening in just under two weeks.

Tokyo organisers and the (International Olympic Committee) IOC, earlier in the week, barred all fans from venues in Tokyo and three neighbouring prefectures.

Now, two prefectures that were permitted to have fans have backed out of those plans. Fukushima prefecture in North Eastern Japan has decided to hold its baseball and softball events without spectators.

It has been joined by the Northern prefecture of Hokkaido, which will hold football games without fans at the Sapporo Dome. (Agencies)