Tokyo Games: Antivirus Measures To Cost Japan $960M

The cost of COVID-19 countermeasures for the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics will be around $960 million, local media reported on Monday.

"The organizing committee, the Tokyo metropolitan government and the Japanese government are to present an interim report on coronavirus countermeasures on Dec. 2, having held several meetings on the issue since September, the sources said, "according to Kyodo news agency.

Japan will face an extra expense to fight COVID-19 during the Olympics including establishment of the health care infrastructure along with testing system and protective equipment for the prevention of virus.

"Additional operating costs from the one-year postponement are expected to include expenses related to securing games venues, equipment rental and storage fees, and expenditures on labor," Kyodo news agency reported.

The Tokyo Olympics were supposed to take place in July this year before it was postponed due to the pandemic.

The games have been rescheduled for July 23-Aug. 8, 2021, while the Paralympic Games will take place on Aug. 24-Sept. 5, 2021. -