Japan transport ministry on Thursday said that their government would set up a no-fly zone over Olympic venues from July 21 to September 5 as part of anti- terrorism measures during the summer games in the country’s capital, Tokyo. However, they did clarify that departing and arriving flights at the Tokyo International Airport would not be affected with the arrangement.
According to the ministry, the no-fly zone will be set up two hours before the start of the competition or ceremony and lifted an hour after. The zone will cover about a 3-kilometer (1.8 miles) radius from venues during competitions and extended to a 46-kilometer radius from the National Stadium during ceremonies. Similar measures will also be applied to the Olympic events, such as marathons, held outside of Tokyo.
Earlier this month, Japanese media reported that starting July 13, ships will be advised to avoid six areas in the Tokyo Port close to coastal territories where the athletes’ village, the beach volleyball competition site, and other Olympics facilities are located.
The Summer Olympics in Tokyo were initially scheduled for 2020 but were postponed in the spring of last year amid the coronavirus pandemic. The games are to take place this summer, from July 23 until August 8. Because of Covid-19, the Japanese government has decided to hold the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics without foreign spectators. According to the organizers, all participants will be required to pass two Covid-19 tests before departure to Japan and undergo daily testing for the first three days after arrival.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has also issued a strict warning against wearing Black Life Matters (BLM) Apparels or indulging in any kind of social protests at the Tokyo Games to the athletes. Besides, the IOC has also warned the athletes against conducting any social protests like taking a knee or lifting their fist. The IOC’s Rule 50 forbids any kind of “demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda” in venues and any other Olympic area. Though the IOC has not specified as to what punishments would be handed out to the athletes violating these rules, it has said that a majority of the athletes are in favour of this rule.
