Japan Might Ask Olympics Attendees For COVID Negative Reports And Vaccinations!

There are times in life where it comes to this- whether to do something or abstain from it? And in an age where perhaps the most commonly used phrase or expression is nothing else but COVID 19, there’s an unbridled sense of uncertainty. We don’t know when or where to step out or whether to step out from the comfort of our homes in the first place. Isn’t it? Now in such times, to entertain the idea of attending a mega event such as the Tokyo Olympics cuts to the surface a rather polarising concern.

On the one hand, will remain those who’d definitely love to ensure personal safety first before thinking of attending a once-in-a-lifetime sporting extravaganza. And on the other, would be those whose priorities, it must be said, would seem a tad bit different- they’d want to attend the Tokyo Olympics at any cost, even if it means being amid a massive gathering that can always increase the threat of contracting the affliction.

And maybe that is why an event seemingly marvellous and worthy of tens of thousands is being looked at with a sense of suspicion. Would hosting the Tokyo Olympics and that too, in midst of Japan’s most thriving and illustrious city be the right thing to do? If so, why?

It’s not an IPL with the BCCI trying all in its might to host the mega T20 franchise-based contest. It’s the Olympics one is talking about.

And yet, Japan seems persistent about its plans for the forthcoming Tokyo Olympics, never perhaps stopping to envisage the mega risk hosting such a massive event might bring to the attendees.

But all of that said, here’s what Japan definitely plans to do- it is now thinking of asking for negative COVID reports and vaccinations from those who intend to attend the Tokyo Olympics.

With the opening of the Games less than two months away, public has to exercise caution. Here’s what a news report from the house of NDTV had to say on the developing story:

 “The plan is to stop the spread of infections during Games time with strict countermeasures,” a Japanese aper said.

Under the plan, spectators must be able to show a vaccination certificate or a negative test taken at their own expense less than a week before entering the venue.

They must wear masks and fill in health-check sheets, and once inside must not cheer loudly or high-five each other.

Now, what’s rather strange is that for a country that wishes to be the host to a premier sporting event, the rate of vaccination rollout in Tokyo is abysmal and even poorer than most Indian cities, truth be told.

At the moment, about 2.5 percent of the Japanese population has been vaccinated. If that’s not a ridiculously small number, then what is?

So won’t it make more sense to wait for a bit more time so as to ensure that things settle down well and there’s sizeable restraint in the prevailing conditions. For instance, in Tokyo, around the start of the year, there was a scary surge of COVID cases. Today, it’s the very city primed to host an event none other than the Olympics.

That said, the following is what the NDTV report focused on carrying inputs from a poll conducted back in Japan, which clearly suggests the way forward if the average Japanese’ voice is heard:

A new country-wide poll by the Nikkei newspaper found that 62 percent of respondents wanted the Games to be cancelled or postponed again, while 34 percent were in favour of them being held this summer.

To conclude, don’t host the Tokyo Olympics now. Not just the word of those who like to side with sense, but even that of the most revered Japanese corporation- Rakuten!