Tokyo urges Olympics supporters to ‘pack less, wait less following security tests

FILE PHOTO: Security officers conduct a screening measures test, including COVID-19 countermeasures, hosted by Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, ahead of the summer games that have been postponed to 2021 due to the disease outbreak, at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan October 21, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato

TOKYO—Tokyo Olympics organizers wrapped up three days of tests on Wednesday, trialing a number of security and COVID-19 countermeasures and asking supporters and officials to pack less to wait less when entering venues during the Games.

During the tests at Tokyo Big Sight, a convention centre that will host media during the postponed Games next year, organizers assessed various technologies to monitor body temperatures of spectators.

As seen at other sporting events during the global pandemic, thermology cameras and non-contact infrared thermometers were used but organizers also tested the use of ‘thermometer strips’.

The strips, which were pasted onto the wrists of volunteers being used in the trial, contain heat-sensitive liquid crystals and can immediately detect if the wearer has a fever.

Another key element of the field test was checking how smoothly spectators can pass through the inspection area while other measures, such as social distancing in queues, are being enforced.

Volunteers presented security personnel with more than 40 different scenarios, including forgetting to wear a mask and trying to bring an aerosol can through security, to test their readiness for the Games.

Organizers were happy with the testing but said more trials will be needed when full COVID-19 protocols are decided.

“Pack less, wait less. We don’t want to delay the excitement, so please come with very little luggage,” urged Tokyo 2020 Security Director Tsuyoshi Iwashita.

“For the testing of security measures, probably this is the last one,” he added.

“As for COVID-19, when we finalize the measures, we want to check these processes. To do so, we will set up further types of testing occasions.”

Tokyo organizers have yet to conclude whether fans will be allowed into venues during the Olympics, which run from July 23 – Aug. 8 next year.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has said organizers expect to welcome spectators from around the world at the Games.