Osaka Re-Routes Olympic Flame Run

The Olympic Flame is scheduled to go through the Osaka prefecture in Japan on April 13, 2021, but Governor Yoshimura said it would be "inappropriate" to hold it on public roads amid fears over large gatherings that could spread the (SARS-COV-2) virus,' reported Kyodo News.

"Today, we asked people in the whole of Osaka to refrain from engaging in unnecessary, non-essential outings," Yoshimura informed Reuters.

The decision to cancel the Olympic event across the Osaka Prefecture came as it confirmed a record 878 additional COVID-19 cases on April 7, 2021.

Toshiro Muto, CEO of the Tokyo Games organizing committee, announced Olympic torchbearers would run at the Expo '70 Commemorative Park in the city of Suita instead of public roads in Osaka.

The US Department of State recently issued a Level 3 Travel Advisory on March 29, 2021, saying 'Reconsider travel to Japan due to COVID-19, as the disease is still a serious concern in Tokyo and across many areas of Japan, and restrictions on entry remain in effect.'

Visit the US Embassy's COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Japan.