Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games organisers will give all 70,000 volunteers working for the Games an opportunity to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Saturday, citing organisers.
Nikkei said some of the volunteers have already been vaccinated. Public broadcaster NHK reported earlier this month around 10,000 of the 80,000 volunteers who signed up to help at the Games had quit. Multiple opinion polls have shown that a majority of respondents are opposed to holding the Games this summer during the pandemic.
Starting from the major metro stations to famous public spots in Japan, protests were also held in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan building and the headquarters of the organising committee. The protests have amplified especially after two Ugandan nationals tested positive for coronavirus after landing in Japan a few days ago.
The protesters are worried that with so many people coming in from different parts of the world it will increase the risk of spreading the virus further. In fact, they are scared of some of the most contagious variants that might spread in the country. Moreover, the amount of money that is being allocated to a sporting event when people are suffering around the world can be used for healthcare or Covid-relief funds in the country.
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