Zhang Jiandong, vice mayor and Beijing 2022 organizing board official, told reporters Wednesday that participants in the games starting February 4th must stay in a "closed loop". This includes training, competing and transport.
Beijing has made it official, in line with its zero tolerance policy to the pandemic. A strict Olympic bubble was already in place for a while. Before and during the Games, athletes and other participants will be regularly tested for the coronavirus. The country's sponsors, family members and spectators will not be permitted to attend.
Zhang stated that all participants in the Games, as well as our Chinese staff members and volunteers, will adhere to the same policy. They will be kept apart from the outside society.
"Those who fail to comply with the epidemic prevention rules could face severe consequences, such as warning, temporary cancellation or permanent cancellation of registration or temporary or permanent disqualification from the competition or other punishment."
Participants must be fully vaccinated at the latest 14 days before they depart for China.
China has enforced strict rules regarding mask wearing, quarantines, and contact tracing. While this has largely prevented the local transmission COVID-19 from China, imported cases and other infections continue to be reported daily.
Zhang stated that epidemic prevention and control are the greatest challenges for the Winter Olympic Games.
Wednesday marked 100 days to the Beijing Games. Under strict conditions, organizers have held tests events that featured international athletes at Olympic venues.
Japan created an Olympic bubble and imposed strict rules during the Tokyo July 23-August 8 Summer Games. The Games were postponed 12 months due to the pandemic.
