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Olympic torch relay off public roads

Published:Monday | July 12, 2021 | 12:07 AM
The Olympic flame.
File
The Olympic flame.

TOKYO, Japan (AP):

Kyodo News agency reports that the mayors of Oshima and Hachijo, two Tokyo islands, have asked their metropolitan government to take the planned Olympic torch relay off public roads in their areas, citing rising COVID-19 cases.

The torch relay in Tokyo, which started on Friday, has been taken off all public roads, except for those on islands, because of rising cases in the Japanese capital.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declared a state of emergency in Tokyo on Thursday.

Olympic officials barred all fans from venues in Tokyo and three neighbouring prefectures last week.

Tokyo reported 950 new cases on Saturday. That is the highest level since early May. Japan has reported about 816,000 cases and 15,000 deaths during the pandemic.