The government of Japan has asked the Olympic-bound participants from India and five other Asian nations to take daily Covid-19 for seven days prior to their departure to Tokyo.
Athletes and all other members of delegations from India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will face stricter measures because of the spread of Delta variant, which was first identified in India, Japan’s state broadcaster NHK said adding that the measures would take effect from July 1.
Significantly, athletes from these countries have already been required to be vaccinated before entering Japan, which is not a precondition for athletes from other delegations and all overseas teams should have members tested twice within four days prior to departure, and every day in principle after arriving in the host nation.
Meanwhile, the latest step also asks participants from Egypt, Vietnam, Malaysia, Britain and Bangladesh to be tested every day for three days prior to departure.