Japan's PM: Tokyo Olympics to Be Held As Planned

The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe announced on Thursday that coronavirus will not affect Tokyo 2020 Olympics, stressing that it will be held as planned.

The Olympics are scheduled to begin on July 24 with the Paralympics starting on August 25.

Abe also slammed misinformation over the new coronavirus for triggering panic.

“It is important to remain objective and cool-headed. We don’t want to alarm the public. The infection is still limited and there is no problem holding the Olympics based on the current situation.” the Prime Minister added.

These remarks coincide with the rapid outbreak of coronavirus, especially in China, prompting the Japanese government, in turn, to charter three flights to repatriate 565 Japanese nationals from Wuhan, the central Chinese city hardest hit by the virus.

It has been two weeks since the authorities in Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, declared that the city would be locked down as they tried to contain the virus’s spread. The cordon that was first imposed around the city of 11 million quickly expanded to encircle roughly 50 million people in the province of Hubei.

On Thursday, the United States warned its citizens not to travel to China after Beijing announced that the death toll from the new Coronavirus has risen to more than 500 while the World Health Organization declared coronavirus outbreak a global health emergency.

Last week, China announced a nationwide ban on wildlife sales in stores, restaurants and e-commerce sites.

Health authorities in Beijing urged people not to shake hands but to use a conventional cupped-hand gesture instead of saluting. The advice was sent in a Sunday morning text message that went out to city mobile phone users.

The outbreak has overshadowed the start of the Lunar New Year, usually a festive time of year, with the cancellation of public events and the closure of many tourist sites. Many on social media have been calling for an extension of the week-long holiday to help prevent further spread of the virus.

Worldwide airports have stepped up screening of Chinese passengers, although some health experts have questioned their effectiveness.