Olympics organisers warn participants against eating out over COVID-19 risks

Tokyo: Organisers of the Tokyo Olympics have warned accredited participants against visiting restaurants that open after 8 p.m. or serve alcohol, citing a "grave reputational risk", according to the note they sent out.

Japan has declared a state of emergency for Tokyo that will run through its hosting of the Olympics. Public concern has grown that staging an event with tens of thousands of overseas athletes, officials and journalists could accelerate infection rates in Japan's capital and introduce variants that are more infectious or deadlier. Japanese media reported cases where those accredited for the Games were seen drinking in Tokyo's downtown areas or violating quarantines.