Beijing Games competitors to face daily COVID-19 tests, remain in closed loop

The Olympic flame burns in a cauldron on the ceremony to welcome the flame for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, in Beijing, China October 20, 2021. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang

BEIJING, Oct 25 (Reuters) – Rivals within the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics will probably be topic to day by day checks for COVID-19 and will probably be required to stay in a closed loop that features transport between the assorted video games venues, organisers stated in guidelines launched on Monday.

China, the place measures to sort out COVID-19 are among the many world’s strictest, has already stated worldwide spectators is not going to be allowed to enter the nation for the Video games which can run from Feb. 4 to Feb. 20.

China has all-but shut its borders to worldwide travellers, with the variety of worldwide flights drastically lowered from pre-COVID ranges, and video games organisers stated on Monday that home and international airways will probably be inspired to function momentary flights accessible solely to members.

Video games members will have to be examined for COVID-19 earlier than arrival, and athletes and group officers should be vaccinated to keep away from 21 days in quarantine, with some exceptions for medical causes granted on a case-by-case foundation.

“We would like everybody on the Video games to be protected, that is why we’re asking all members to observe these pointers,” IOC Olympic Video games Government Director Christophe Dubi stated in an announcement.

“Retaining everybody wholesome will guarantee the main target stays on the very fundamentals of the Olympic and Paralympic Video games – the athletes and the game.”

Organisers added that the closed loop system has been designed to maintain opponents protected by lowering pointless interactions.

Rivals may even be inspired to put on masks and keep away from areas which are enclosed, crowded or contain shut contact whereas each organisation collaborating within the Video games will probably be requested to appoint COVID-19 Liaison Officers.

Vaccination isn’t necessary for the Beijing Video games however some nationwide Olympic committees, together with that of america and Canada, are requiring group members to be vaccinated. read more

Reporting by Gabriel Crossley in Beijing; further reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru
Enhancing by Christian Radnedge

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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