With COVID-19 under control, China invites more spectators to Beijing Games
Chances of getting virus in bubble 'less than anywhere else,' medical expert says
China will invite more spectators to attend the Winter Olympics as the COVID-19 situation is under control within the "closed-loop" bubble, which separates all event personnel from the public, an official from the Beijing organizers said on Tuesday.
China did not sell tickets to the public amid concerns over the spread of the pandemic but selected a number of spectators from targeted groups of people who are required to undertake strict COVID-19 prevention measures.
The Tokyo Summer Games took place without spectators due to a surge in coronavirus cases.
Before the Winter Olympics organizers hoped for capacities of at least 30 per cent at venues with some events, such as the opening ceremony and some outdoor sports, having larger numbers.
The spectators will be separated from athletes and other people in the closed-loop by going in and out through specific gates and sitting in the designated area at Games venues.
They must also have taken multiple COVID-19 tests and weeks-long health checks before and after the events.
No quarantine is required after watching the events, but the spectators are not advised to go to crowded places, said Yan Jiarong, a spokeswoman for the Beijing organizers.
The Beijing Olympics Organising Committee reported zero COVID-19 case among new airport arrivals and six new positive cases from people already in the closed-loop on Monday, the lowest daily tally in two weeks.
But Huang expected a certain number of COVID-19 cases would remain in the closed-loop as travelers in the incubation period may not be detected as positive upon arrival at the airport.
The organizers are hoping to screen out and control the spread of COVID-19 through strict closed-loop management and nucleic acid testing, said Huang, adding that the bubble is "very safe" now.
"I think your chance of picking up a COVID case in the closed-loop is less than anywhere else," Brian McCloskey, chair of the Beijing 2022 Medical Expert Panel, told the news conference
