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Tokyo 2020 organizers ban alcoholic beverages at venues
CGTN
A Japanese fan cheers for the team during the FIFA Women's World Cup France Group D game against Argentina at Parc des Princes in Paris, France, June 10, 2019. /CFP

A Japanese fan cheers for the team during the FIFA Women's World Cup France Group D game against Argentina at Parc des Princes in Paris, France, June 10, 2019. /CFP

All kinds of consumption and sale of alcoholic beverages will be prohibited at all venues of the Tokyo Olympics, announced the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee at a press conference on Wednesday.

The request has been included in the safety guidelines for ticket holders released by the organizers, along with banning of loud cheering, the giving of high-fives and towel waving. 

"Realizing a safe and secure games is what the organizing committee wants the most, and we are responsible for making that happen. If the Japanese people have even a slight sense of worry, then we must give up," said Seiko Hashimoto, president of the organizing committee.

A countdown clock for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan, June 23, 2021. /CFP

A countdown clock for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan, June 23, 2021. /CFP

The organizers, according to Kyodo News, were previously considering allowing alcohol sales at venues with certain restrictions, but public criticism made them drop the idea. Katsunobu Kato, chief secretary of Yoshihide Suga's cabinet, said it's "very important" for the organizers to take into consideration public opinion.

On the same day of the announcement, 619 cases of COVID-9 were reported in Tokyo – the most in a month.

Two days ago, the organizing committee announced that at most 10,000 spectators, or 50 percent of venue capacity, will be allowed at each venue to watch the matches. That means about 910,000 tickets will have to be cut via lottery so the number can drop to 2.72 million.

The organizers were previously considering allowing alcohol sales at venues with certain restrictions, but public criticism made them drop the idea. /CFP

The organizers were previously considering allowing alcohol sales at venues with certain restrictions, but public criticism made them drop the idea. /CFP

Lottery results will be posted on the official ticketing website on July 6. Applications for refunds will begin to be accepted from the same day. 

Spectators are also requested to keep their ticket stubs or ticket data for at least two weeks after they enter the venues. If any of them tests positive for COVID-19, the date of the spectator's attendance and seat number will be released on the Tokyo Olympics official website as well as social media platforms.

More and more athletes have been arriving in Tokyo recently. Two members of the Ugandan delegation, who came to Japan on June 19, tested positive for the coronavirus. The first one was denied entry at Narita airport. The second positive test was reported by AFP on Wednesday quoting an official of Izumisano in Osaka Prefecture.

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