NPB to allow 5,000 fans into stadiums starting Friday, 10 July
The top sports leagues in Japan opened on 19 June in empty stadiums. The plan is to operate venues at half of their capacity from 1 August. Experts warn: risk still exists.
Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) will begin allowing up to 5,000 fans into stadiums from Friday (10 July), NPB Commissioner Atsushi Saito told reporters during a recent online press conference.
The government guidelines on large gatherings will allow clubs to operate venues at up to half of their full capacity from 1 August. The medical panel of the COVID-19 Task Force will monitor the infection status for the next 10 to 14 days before confirming the next step.
The panel also recommended the leagues and teams encourage spectators to use COCOA, the COVID-19 contact-tracing mobile application that was recently launched by the Japanese government.
The experts also advised fans to remain aware of the risks when coming to stadiums.
Meanwhile, clubs have become creative in finding new ways to entertain fans that are watching the games remotely.
The defending Japan Series Champions SoftBank Hawks used Pepper, the world's first social humanoid robot produced by Softbank Robotics, and Spot, a robotic quadruped produced by Boston Dynamics, to perform a dance during an interval of the games played at the Fukuoka Dome.
NPB also announced that the THANK YOU blue wrist band worn by players will be on sale starting Friday, 10 July. Part of the proceeds will be used to support medical and care workers.
