TOKYO (JAPAN) – In the wake of Japan examining ways to test its coronavirus countermeasures for mega events ahead of the Tokyo Games next year, it will conduct three baseball matches at Yokohama Stadium at around 80% capacity later this month.
As part of efforts to stem the spread of the pandemic, professional sports arenas in the country have been told to operate at 50% capacity.
Economic revitalization minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who is spearheading the fight against coronavirus, said late on Thursday that if the experiment turns out to be a success, all professional stadiums will be allowed to admit spectators to boost capacity.
In a statement, the Yokohama Baystars, who play at the 34,000-capacity Yokohama Stadium, one of the Games venues, said three games would be played there at 80% capacity.
As many as 19,000 fans were present at the Tokyo Dome, where the Yomiuri Giants hosted Hiroshima Carp, on Thursday with all pandemic countermeasures in place.
There were temperature checks and sanitisers were available everywhere. All fans had to provide their contact details as well.
Fans of Giants have gone one step forward by changing their popular chant in a bid to tone down the yelling and do away with vigorous gestures that may spread the virus. The ubiquitous ‘uriko’ beer vendors, who bring drinks to fans, were also not to be seen.
“After being able to accept spectators, we have done various anti-coronavirus measures that we hadn’t done before,” Masatoshi Yamada, an official of the Giants’ promotional department, said.
“We have proposed a new cheering style, which is to cheer without shouting, as well as disinfection of seats and distribution of alcohol wipes.”
According to Yamada, Games officials had visited the venue to see the countermeasures for themselves.