No COVID Clearance, No Games For Japan Olympics Fans: Report

Japan may require negative COVID-19 tests or vaccination records from fans attending the Tokyo Olympics, the Yomiuri newspaper reported Monday.

Meanwhile, a poll out Monday showed public opposition to the Games remained strong, Reuters reported.

With the Games opening ceremony less than two months away, public confidence has been shaken by a fourth wave of coronavirus infections and slow vaccinations.

Foreign spectators have already been banned and game organizers are expected to make a decision next month on whether Japan residents can attend and if there will be conditions attached, the Reuters report said..

In addition to other coronavirus measures like banning loud cheering and high-fives, the Yomiuri said the government was considering whether spectators should be required to show a negative test result taken within a week of attending an Olympic event.

Some social media users were angered by the report with many tweets criticizing the country's continued push to host the Olympics in the middle of a pandemic. The term "negative test certificate" was trending on Twitter in Japan early Monday.

The Tokyo Olympics organizing committee hasn't made a statement.

Japan extended Friday a state of emergency in Tokyo and other areas to Jun 20. The country has seen a record number of COVID-19 patients in critical condition in recent days, even as the pace of new infections has slowed.

In a poll published by the Nikkei newspaper Monday, more than 60% of respondents were in favor of canceling or delaying the Games, a result in line with previous polls by other media outlets.

The Games have already been postponed once as a result of the pandemic but the government and the International Olympic Committee have said the July 23 to Aug. 8 event will go ahead under strict COVID-safety rules.