Organisers of the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics have disclosed that fans from other countries will be barred from entering Japan.

Authorities in the country on Saturday expressed their worry to the Olympic and Paralympic Committees following growing fears over the coronavirus pandemic, the BBC reported.

The authorities hinged their position not to allow entry of fans from outside the country on their resolve to provide “a safe and secure Games for all participants and the Japanese public” as well as give “clarity to ticket holders”, who will soon be refunded.

Aside the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, organisers also blamed travel restrictions in most countries and the outbreak of various strains of the virus for its decision.

The upcoming Games which is expecting more than 11,000 athletes from about 200 countries was postponed last year for the first time since its inception as a result of the global outbreak of the virus, but was later re-scheduled to take place from 23 July, 2021, followed by the Paralympics billed to start from 24 August, 2021.