However, the Games are due to open in less than six months, and Muto’s comments came as Japanese health officials raced to check passengers and crew aboard the Diamond Princess cruiseliner, which docked off Yokohama port Monday.
The Princess Cruises ship was placed in lockdown at the Japanese port, with 3,700 people quarantined on board after it was revealed that an infected passenger flew into Tokyo and spent a few days on the ship.
So far 20 people on the ship have been confirmed with the coronavirus.
There are still more than 100 samples awaiting test results. A total of 2,666 guests and 1,045 crew members were on board, Princess Cruises said in a statement earlier this week.
On Wednesday, the Japanese defense ministry docked a quarantine ferry at the Maritime Self-Defense Force base in Yokosuka, central Japan, The 17,000-ton ferry has 94 rooms and will be ready to accommodate Japanese returnees from China, if needed.
Olympic jitters?
Despite the fears over the coronavirus outbreak, the fanfare around Tokyo 2020, which is due to officially begin on Friday, July 24, is well underway.
On Monday, Abe dispelled concerns that the Summer Olympics would be canceled after false rumors circulated online.
“We will take appropriate measures so that the preparation for the Olympic games will proceed without affecting them,” Abe told a parliamentary committee.
“Countermeasures against infectious diseases constitute an important part of our plans to host a safe and secure Games,” Olympic organizers told CNN in a statement on Monday, which they reaffirmed Thursday.
“Tokyo 2020 will continue to collaborate with all relevant organizations which carefully monitor any incidence of infectious diseases and we will review any countermeasures that may be necessary with all relevant organizations.”
Precautions taken
While face masks have become scarce nationwide, Japan has started to take a number of precautions to overcome and prevent the spread of the virus.
Japanese companies have adopted the practice of encouraging their employees to work from home to prevent exposing them to the virus on congested public transport and in offices.
The company will also allow pregnant women to telework, regardless of whether they have been to China, and postpone business trips to and from the country.
Source : Nbcnewyork