Tokyo Olympics organizers unveil pandemic playbook
Olympics organizers unveiled on Wednesday the first of a series of "playbooks," step-by-step guides for key stakeholders to a safe and successful Games in Tokyo this summer amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"We are very confident for a number of reasons," Christophe Dubi, Olympic Games executive director of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said during a virtual press conference. "Tokyo is the best prepared city we have ever seen."
The playbooks explain what to do before leaving home, when entering Japan, during the Games and when leaving the country. The outlined protocols include physical distancing and good hygiene measures, regular testing and temperature checks, as well as rules of conduct until departing Japan.
"Safety would be the utmost priority," Hidemasa Nakamura, Games delivery officer of the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee, told reporters. "The virus will not completely disappear, wherever you are."
"Of course, we have no telling of what the situation will be in the summer," he added.
The playbook released Wednesday, which is for members of international federations and technical officials, states that individuals must take a COVID-19 test approved by the Japanese government within 72 hours of the departure time of their flight to the country, be prepared to take another test at the airport in Japan, expect regular testing during the Games depending on the nature of their role, be ready to have their temperature checked every time they enter an Olympic venue and be prepared to take a final COVID-19 test before departing Japan. They will not need to self-quarantine upon arrival in Japan, nor will they be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to participate in the Games.
Additional playbooks for athletes, members of the press and others will be published in the coming weeks ahead of the opening of the already delayed Tokyo Olympics on July 23. Updated editions may also be released as the COVID-19 situation evolves, according to organizers.
A decision on whether to limit spectators will be made by spring. Spectators would also be expected to follow a number of rules, organizers said.
ABC News' Anthony Trotter contributed to this report.