The Olympic torch relay leg in Osaka City should be canceled over the growing coronavirus infection, region governor Hirofumi Yoshimura said on Thursday. The phone comes in two parts of Osaka Prefecture and two other regions of Japan where new coronovirus cases are encountered. “I think the torch relay in Osaka City should be canceled,” Yoshimura told reporters. “We want to start discussions with Osaka City and Tokyo 2020.” According to local media, organizers of the Tokyo 2020 Games did not immediately comment on the call, supported by the mayor of Osaka City.
“It is very unfortunate, but the torch relay should be canceled,” the Nikkei newspaper quoted Mayor Ichiro Matsui as saying.
The torch relay began on March 25 from Fukushima, with organizers hoping that it would help build excitement throughout Japan for the Games after a one-year delay due to coronovirus ponidemic.
It is scheduled to travel through Osaka Prefecture on 13 and 14 April, which starts in Sakai City and ends in Osaka City.
Another region governor, Shimane Prefecture, has also suggested that he may ask Riley to leave his area if the virus measures have not been tightened.
The rules already require spectators to wear masks and flash the relay route to avoid cheering, and organizers have stated that the legs can be canceled when congested.
Coronavirus infection is on the rise in Osaka, Hyogo and Miyagi provinces, with the government expected to announce new restrictions for the areas later on Thursday, requiring authorities to close businesses early or impose fines.
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Parts of Japan were placed under an emergency to take measures on March 21 in Tokyo and surrounding areas earlier this year.
It has been warned that Japan is entering a fourth virus wave, even as preparations continue for the Tokyo Olympics, which are scheduled to open on 23 July.
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