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TOKYO (Reuters) – Olympic organizers will allow the sale of alcohol to spectators at Tokyo 2020, Kyodo News reported on Tuesday, drawing criticism as residents of the capital grapple with bar borders to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Alcohol will be served at Olympic venues at limited times, Kyodo reported, citing anonymous sources, a move that follows the approval https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/organisers-set- decide-domestic-spectators-tokyo- 2020-2021-06-21 Monday of up to 10,000 domestic spectators at the venues of the next delayed Games.
Organizers are still wondering if alcohol will be served at the venue, Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto said on Monday evening.
Last week, the government demoted the capital to a state of near emergency, which allows drinking in small groups for short periods of time, but offers limited help to besieged bars, restaurants and nightclubs in Tokyo.
The biggest problem is preferential treatment: the events are good but the cinemas are bad. The Olympics are going well, but theaters are not good, @save_the_cinema wrote on Twitter, an emergency fundraising campaign for arthouse cinemas.
Social gatherings with alcohol consumption have been the target of government action as they are seen as a source of infection by encouraging loud talk and staying at the bar.
The approval of Olympic liquor sales could offer a silver lining for sponsor Asahi Group Holdings, which has the exclusive rights to deliver its best-selling Super Dry lager to thirsty sports fans.
Olympic sponsors, who donated a record $ 3 billion to support the Tokyo Games, have scaled back their marketing plans amid fears of backlash against widespread public opposition.
The issues surrounding alcohol have become a focal point of public anger in part because of the perception that authorities are prioritizing hosting the Games over restoring normalcy to residents’ daily lives.
The government said it could organize the event without compromising public health. An athlete from the Ugandan team who arrived in Japan this weekend has tested positive for the coronavirus, NHK reported on Sunday.
Coronavirus cases in Tokyo peaked in April, prompting the recent easing of restrictions, with 236 cases reported on Monday.
As vaccinations ramp up, most of the population has yet to receive their first vaccine 31 days before the start of the Games.
(Reporting by Sam Nussey; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
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