With Olympics Looming, U.S. State Department Issues Do Not Travel Advisory for Japan
The State Department of the United States on Monday advised American citizens not to travel to Japan, in light of the country’s significant rise in COVID-19 cases. The State Department has instituted a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory, which is the highest level of warning that can be put in place. The Level 4 caution arrives just two months before the start of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, which have already been delayed a year due to the global pandemic.
Japanese government officials, the International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee have all stated that this summer’s Games will be held, despite the spike in COVID-19 cases and the extension of various states of emergency around Japan. However, Japanese citizens, in polls gauging their feels, have cited a preference for the Olympics to be canceled. Currently, only 2% of Japanese citizens have been vaccinated, largely because of a lack of medical personnel to give the shots.
United States citizens have not been allowed to travel to Japan for leisure purposes since the pandemic started. The IOC has stated that it believes proper precautions will be in place to hold a successful and safe Olympic Games, with athletes receiving vaccinations prior to the start of competition. Tokyo is said to have already spent more than $15 billion on the Olympics.
Recently, IOC President Thomas Bach canceled a planned trip to Tokyo due to the rise in COVID-19 cases.