Tokyo 2020 Employee has Coronavirus

(ATR) A Tokyo 2020 employee is among the latest to test positive for COVID-19 in Japan.

The Tokyo Organizing Committee confirmed on Wednesday a male staffer in his 30’s working at the Tokyo 2020 main office in Harumi, Chuo-ku,Tokyo has the virus. He is currently recuperating at home.

Tokyo 2020 says the office areas frequented by the affected employee will be disinfected. Staff who have been in close contact with him have been told to stay at home.

Most of the Tokyo 2020 staff has been working remotely since April 8, a day after the Japanese government announced an emergency declaration in response to increased cases of COVID-19. The initial declaration included Tokyo, Osaka and five other prefectures. It was expanded to the entire country on April 16.

Tokyo 2020 is following the emergency measures implemented by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in accordance with that declaration by reducing the need for employees to come into the office.

Under the guidelines, which are to be in effect until at least May 6, Tokyo 2020 closed its press room and suspended its phone inquiry service. Questions are being answered only through email.

In a statement on Wednesday, Tokyo 2020 said "We will continue to work with relevant organizations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and take all necessary measures to maintain a safe and secure working environment for our staff".

Japan has reported about 11,500 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 281 deaths. The emergency measures have so far not produced a downtrend in the number of cases.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday called for further reductions in person-to-person contact.

"To bring an end to this state of emergency as soon as possible, now is the most critical time for us," Abe said, according to Kyodo.

Written by Gerard Farek

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