Beijing Winter Olympics staff enter ‘bubble’ at Games venues

January 5, 2022

A month away from the start of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, Chinese authorities have this week commenced sealing up a Games ‘bubble’, with venues, transport and staff for now in a ‘closed loop’ at precincts in Beijing's city centre, Yanqing District and Zhangjiakou City.

With the Chinese Government pursuing a zero-tolerance strategy on COVID-19, the same approach is being taken to limit the threat of the pandemic's on the Winter Games - which run from 4th to 20th February - and the subsequent Winter Paralympics.

Starting as of Tuesday, thousands of Games-related staff, volunteers, cleaners, cooks and coach drivers are being cocooned in a ‘closed loop’ with no direct physical access outside each of the Games precincts.

Athletes, officials and media, who are expected to begin arriving as of later this week will remain in the bubble from the moment they land until they leave the country.

Anyone entering the bubble must be fully vaccinated or face a 21-day quarantine when they touch down, and everyone inside will be tested daily and must wear face masks at all times.

In an interview with AFP last Friday, Zhao Weidong, Head of the Beijing Organising Committee for the Olympic Games’ media department, said organisers are "fully prepared", noting “hotels, transportation, accommodation, as well as our science and technology-led Winter Olympics projects are all ready.”

Fans will not be part of the closed loop, with organisers advising that will have to ensure that they do not mingle with athletes and others inside the bubble.

The system includes dedicated transport between venues, with even ‘closed-loop’ high-speed rail systems operating in parallel to those open to the public.

The isolation approach contrasts with the COVID-delayed Tokyo Summer Olympics - held between 23rd July and 8th August - which allowed some movement in and out for volunteers and other personnel.

In his New Year address last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping said the country would spare no effort to present a great Winter Olympics to the world, advising "the world is turning its eyes to China, and China is ready.”

President Xi inspected preparations for the Games yesterday at the National Speed Skating Oval, 30 days ahead of the opening ceremony.

During an earlier inspection in February 2019, President Xi had stressed that venue construction must meet Olympic standards and highlight the characteristics of technology, wisdom, environment and frugality.

Image: Chinese President Xi Jinping inspects preparations for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Credit: Xinhua.

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