Japan, "Daily COVID-19 Testing for Tokyo Olympic Athletes"...Criticism Over Effectiveness

"Over 10,000 Players Cannot Be Tested Daily"
Whole Team Quarantine Problematic Amid Emergency

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As the Japanese government is reportedly set to declare a third state of emergency just before the Tokyo Olympics, controversy is arising over the announcement that more than 10,000 overseas athletes will be virtually quarantined and undergo daily COVID-19 testing throughout the Olympic period. It is already difficult to secure medical personnel to quarantine and test the athletes in Tokyo, where the spread of the virus is severe, and concerns are emerging that if the athletes experience a cluster infection, it could place an even greater burden on local healthcare.

On the 23rd, Asahi Shimbun cited a senior official from the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee saying, "There is growing dissatisfaction about whether the Olympics are special while Tokyo is entering a state of emergency," and reported, "All athletes participating in the Tokyo Olympics will be quarantined, commuting only between hotels and venues, and tested daily, but questions are being raised about the effectiveness of this measure."

Japan’s daily COVID-19 cases have surpassed 5,000, and with testing personnel already insufficient amid the severe spread, criticism is mounting that it is impossible to test all more than 10,000 overseas athletes every day. Nevertheless, Seiko Hashimoto, Chairperson of the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee, stated at a press conference following the International Olympic Committee (IOC) board meeting, "In principle, testing will be conducted daily," which has sparked controversy.

Originally, the COVID-19 code of conduct drafted by the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee in February specified testing at least every four days, but Asahi Shimbun reported that at a meeting held in early March with the IOC, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and the Organizing Committee, IOC President Thomas Bach proposed daily testing, leading to a change in policy.

Japanese infectious disease experts are also expressing reservations. Haruo Ozaki, Chairman of the Tokyo Medical Association, warned, "Due to the surge of variant viruses, responding to patients and administering vaccines has become more demanding, making it even harder to secure medical staff to support the Tokyo Olympics. Even if the number of spectators is limited, for example, reducing attendance to 5,000 in a 20,000-seat stadium, the required medical staff would not be reduced to a quarter. As long as the current infection situation continues, cooperation cannot be considered unless the event is held without spectators."