Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • The Independent

    Tokyo Olympics: Japan declares Covid state of emergency just two weeks before opening of Games

    by Akshita Jain Jul 08, 2021 1 minute
    Source: AP

    The Japanese government has declared a state of emergency amid rising Covid cases in Tokyo, just two weeks before the city is due to host the opening of the Olympic Games.

    Prime minister Yoshihide Suga said the state of emergency will be in place until 22 August.

    Tokyo had come out of a state of emergency on 20 June. This is the fourth time that the capital will go under a Covid emergency since the pandemic began last year.

    The Olympics, already delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic, are set to begin on 23 July.

    While overseas spectators were already not allowed, the Olympic organisers are now set to ban all spectators from the games, according to reports.

    Tokyo reported 920 new cases on Wednesday. Experts have estimated that the daily cases in Tokyo could reach 1,000 before the Games and the rise could be in thousands in August, The Associated Press said.

    The pace of vaccinations in Japan has also been slow. Around 15 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated and 26 per cent has received at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine, according to Reuters vaccine tracker.

    More from The Independent

    The Independent3 min readInternational Relations
    Shapps Urges Western Nations To Allow Their Weapons To Be Used In Crimea
    Grant Shapps has urged Germany and other allies to give Volodymyr Zelensky permission to use their weapons to strike targets in Crimea. The Defence Secretary refused to confirm whether the UK would allow weapons supplied to Ukraine to be used against
    The Independent4 min read
    John Krasinski’s ‘IF’ Hits A Box Office Nerve With $35 Million Debut
    John Krasinski’s imaginary friends movie “IF” claimed the top spot at the box office this weekend according to studio estimates Sunday. Its $35 million North American debut was also a bit lower than some projections. Is that a disappointment? An omin
    The Independent2 min read
    Former Owner Of The Independent Tony O’Reilly Dies Aged 88
    Tony O’Reilly, one of Ireland’s leading business figures, has died at the age of 88. Mr O’Reilly, who was also known as a media magnate and international rugby player for Ireland and the British and Irish Lions, died in St Vincent’s Hospital in Dubli

    Related Books & Audiobooks