About 50 students from a junior high school in the city of Chiba watched the men’s goalball match between Japan and Algeria at Makuhari Messe on Wednesday as part of a program for students to watch the otherwise spectatorless Paralympics in person.

But municipalities have been wavering over whether to allow students to watch the Paralympics at competition venues due to rising concerns among parents over infection risks and the heavy burden placed on accompanying teachers, who are tasked with making sure social distancing measures are followed.

Earlier this month, organizers decided to hold the Paralympics without domestic fans while allowing students to watch the Games in person.