Authorities may move start of Tokyo's Olympic torch relay off public roads - NHK

TOKYO (Reuters) - Authorities are considering moving the first three days of the Tokyo leg of the Olympic torch relay off public roads, because a quasi-state of emergency will still be in place, broadcaster NHK reported on Wednesday.

The Tokyo part of the relay is due to start on July 9 and continue until the opening ceremony on July 23. However, much of the host city is currently under a quasi-state of emergency which will remain in place until July 11.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games was delayed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic, and still faces resistance from a substantial portion of the public which fears it may cause further COVID-19 outbreaks.

(Reporting by Sakura Murakami; Editing by Andrew Heavens)