(Beijing) Chinese authorities said Thursday they were ready to deal with outbreaks during the Beijing Winter Olympics (February 4-20, 2022), with designated hospitals to send athletes who test positive.
“There will certainly be infections and it is possible that a small-scale outbreak of contamination will occur,” Huang Chun, responsible for controlling the spread of the virus during the Beijing Winter Olympics, said at a report. information meeting.
According to him, the event presents a “very high risk of transmission”.
“There will be a number of positive cases,” said another head of the organizing committee, Han Zirong.
“This is an event with a high probability” of transmission of the coronavirus, she added.
China has adopted a “zero COVID-19” strategy since the middle of last year: strict border restrictions, localized lockdowns, long quarantines and population tracing.
She thus officially succeeded in keeping infection rates very low.
A single case can lead to massive screenings or lockdowns. Politicians found at fault were also dismissed from their posts.
China has reinforced already very strict measures in anticipation of the arrival of thousands of foreign athletes for the Olympics. The capital Beijing now requires negative COVID-19 tests for all visitors and limits flights from other cities.
In addition to the mandatory vaccinations before landing in China, all athletes must undergo daily screening tests.
Officials further urged athletes to recall the COVID-19 vaccine.
Athletes who test positive will not be allowed to participate in the Games.
Asymptomatic patients will be quarantined on site, while patients with symptoms will be sent to previously designated hospitals in Beijing and Zhangjiakou, Huang Chun said.
During the test events – a sort of dress rehearsal for the Olympics – three athletes tested positive for COVID-19.
Officials assured that these cases were all “dealt with quickly and efficiently, and that the transmission and spread of the virus has not taken place.”
“The Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games must strictly apply the principles and requirements of the Chinese government in terms of prevention and control of the virus,” for his part hammered Han Zirong.