(ATR) An emergency declaration in Japan in response to the coronavirus pandemic means a new way of doing business for Tokyo 2020 officials.
Beginning on April 8, as much of the essential work as possible will be handled remotely by employees from home.
"Work that necessitates physical presence in the office will be reduced to an absolute minimum, with thorough measures being taken to prevent the spread of infection," Tokyo 2020 said in a statement.
The actions were taken after the Japanese government announced on Tuesday an emergency declaration in response to increased cases of COVID-19 in the country. The state of emergency is so far limited to Tokyo, Osaka and five other prefectures including Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Hyogo and Fukuoka.
Tokyo 2020 is following the emergency measures implemented by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in accordance with that declaration.
Under the new guidelines, which are to be in effect for a month, Tokyo 2020 will also close its press room immediately and suspend its phone inquiry service. Questions will now be answered only through email.
In addition, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Flame will no longer be open to the public in Fukushima. The Flame, which was put on display April 2, was to have been available for viewing until April 30. Its whereabouts after that have so far not been disclosed.
The emergency measures come two weeks after the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were postponed for a year due to the pandemic.
There has been a marked increase in the number of coronavirus cases in Japan in recent days, especially in urban areas.
Written by Gerard Farek
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