Spectators to face Olympic ban as Japan declares state of emergency for Tokyo

Reportedly, Japan will imposed a state of emergency for capital city which will last through the duration of the Olympics.

Organizers are considering to ban spectators from the games, in a bid to contain the spread of novel coronavirus.

Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who is responsible for the government's coronavirus response, had earlier said the state of emergency will begin next week and last until August 22.

The Tokyo Games, scheduled from July 23 to August 8, are being held after a delay of one-year as the novel coronavirus pandemic began spreading across the globe.

In addition, Japan has already banned overseas spectators and set a cap on domestic viewers at 50% of capacity, up to 10,000 people.

Tokyo and several other prefectures shifted last month from a state of emergency imposed in April that are set to expire on Sunday.

However, Japan is coping with a fourth wave of new infections and a slow vaccination campaign that has left just 15% of all Japanese citizens fully inoculated.

Meanwhile, Tokyo reported 920 new infections Wednesday, highest since May.