The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics organisers, on Monday, said that all fans will be barred from the events in Japan to stem the spread of the coronavirus. While there were few exceptions during the Olympics with some fans allowed in outlying areas away from Tokyo, Paralympics will have no room for such exceptions.

Organisers have also asked the public not to come out to view road events.

The decision was announced after a meeting with International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons, organising committee president Seiko Hashimoto, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and Olympic Minister Tamayo Marukawa.

The Paralympics open on August 24 with about 4,400 athletes, a far smaller event than the Olympics with 11,000 athletes. The Paralympics begin as new infections have climbed up in Tokyo.

Parsons said there was no room for complacency in the wake of the Olympics.

“In light of the current case numbers in Tokyo and wider Japan, everyone attending these games must be vigilant,” Parsons said.

The Paralympics is scheduled to end on September 5.

New coronavirus infections in Tokyo tripled during the 17 days of the Olympics. However, medical experts in the country ruled out any direct connection to Tokyo Games. They hinted at an indirect effect as the public was distracted and a false sense of security was induced due to the Summer Games.

As the situation gets worse, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said a state of emergency in Tokyo and other areas will be extended until September 12. The state of emergency has been in force since July 12 and was to end later this month.

Tokyo recorded 5,773 cases, a new high, on Friday. On Sunday, it recorsed 4,295 cases. Experts say the situation is getting out of control and some call it “a disaster.”

To date, Japan has reported 15,400 deaths due to COVID-19.

Dr. Haruo Ozaki, president of the Tokyo Medical Association, said having no fans “a minimum necessity” and attributed the surge to the delta variant.

(With inputs from Associated Press)