The Tokyo Olympics are scheduled to begin on July 23. PA

Tokyo: The Japanese government said Thursday that it anticipates a new viral state of emergency spanning the length of the Olympics, as reports have indicated that organizers may ban fans from nearly all Games events.

Only two weeks before the opening ceremony of July 23, coronavirus infections are on the rise in the capital, and the spread of the more infectious delta variant has scared officials.

Growing cases threaten to derail plans to let up to 10,000 local fans enter Olympic venues, and could mean Tokyo 2020 is the first Games held behind closed doors.

“The number of new cases continues to increase in Tokyo,” the Japanese minister in charge of the response to the Yasutoshi Nishimura virus warned on Thursday.

“As movement of people increases, the more infectious Delta variant now accounts for around 30% of cases. This is expected to expand further,” he added.

The viral emergency, which is expected to become official later Thursday, will be much looser than the severe shutdowns seen in other parts of the world.

Alcohol will be banned in bars and restaurants, which will have to close at 8 p.m., and events such as concerts and conferences will have to end at 9 p.m.

Importantly, spectators at events will be limited to 5,000 people or 50% of venues capacity, whichever is less.

“We hope to contain the spread of infections by placing Tokyo on an emergency basis,” Nishimura said, warning that hospitalizations were increasing among people in their 40s and 50s.

The move puts pressure on Olympic organizers who are scrambling to make a final decision on how many local fans, if any, will be in the stands at the Games.

Several Japanese media said Thursday that organizers are now likely to ban spectators from all competition venues in Tokyo and three surrounding regions.

Tokyo 2020 organizers are expected to meet with local and national government officials and the International Olympic and Paralympic Committees on Thursday evening to make the key decision.

IOC chief arrives in Tokyo

While Japan has so far experienced a relatively low virus outbreak, with around 14,900 deaths despite avoiding severe shutdowns, its vaccination schedule has moved relatively slowly.

Just over 15% of the population is so far fully vaccinated, and there are fears that the Delta variant could produce a new wave that could quickly overwhelm local medical resources.

Fans overseas have already been barred from attending, and organizers said last month they would limit local spectators to 10,000 people or 50% of venues capacity.

But they acknowledged the figure could be further reduced, saying the Games could even go behind closed doors if the virus situation worsens and tighter restrictions are imposed in Tokyo.

Ticket holders for the oversubscribed events were supposed to know on Tuesday whether they would still have seats after a lottery to clear the crowds.

But a sign of continuing feuds over the issue, those results have now been pushed back to Saturday.

IOC chief Thomas Bach arrived in Tokyo on Thursday afternoon and will have to undergo a three-day quarantine before being allowed limited travel.

The International Olympic Committee and the Japanese government agree that the Games will take place. PA

Olympic participants generally will not have to observe a full 14-day quarantine, but will face restrictions while in Japan, with athletes limited to venues and the Olympic Village and tested daily for the virus.

Tokyo 2020 struggles to build momentum and excitement for the Games as the final countdown begins.

A torch relay that was supposed to stoke excitement as it traveled across the country has been pulled from public roads in much of the country due to virus risks, and even its legs in the capital will now unravel without spectators.

And fans have been urged to avoid the Olympic Marathon route when it takes place in northern Hokkaido.

Polls show most Japanese would prefer the Games to be postponed again or canceled altogether, although opposition has eased in recent weeks.