IMAGE: Toshiro Muto, Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee CEO, addresses the Olympic torch relay during a news conference, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Tokyo. Photograph: Issei Kato/Reuters
The organising committee for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games announced steps on Tuesday to stem the spread of the coronavirus along the torch relay route, including cancelling some events and restricting public access to others.
Welcome and departure ceremonies for the flame along the relay route will be scrapped, organisers said in a statement.