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SCIO press conference on pandemic prevention policies and relevant preparations for Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

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Beijing TV:

According to the second edition of the playbooks, what are the requirements and management measures for the entry and exit of the Games participants? How to conduct closed-loop management between competition zones? What health monitoring measures will be taken upon the participants' arrival in Beijing? How to ensure the accessibility and timeliness of nucleic acid testing? Thank you.

Han Zirong:

Thank you for your questions. All of these questions are very specific and concern all stakeholders. Mr. Huang will answer them.

Huang Chun:

Thank you for your questions. Actually, these questions comprise four aspects: remote control and prevention, closed-loop management, health monitoring, and nucleic acid testing.

In terms of remote control and prevention for inbound personnel, first, they need to download the "My 2022" app at least 14 days before their departure for China. There is a health monitoring system in the app, and they need to report their monitoring results on it every day. Second, they need to be fully vaccinated 14 days before coming to China. Third, they need to conduct two nucleic acid tests within 96 hours before the departure of their flights. Fourth, for those who were infected before coming to China, they need to conduct two additional nucleic acid tests besides the two regular tests. They also need to submit related review documents to the BOCOG at least eight working days before departure. Fifth, we will conduct throat swab tests and nasal swab tests for all inbound personnel at customs at the airport. Sixth, we will provide negative certificates of nucleic acid tests within 24 hours of departure for outbound personnel to help them head back to their destination countries. Generally speaking, we have made strict measures from remote control and prevention to outbound process.

Regarding closed-loop management, Ms. Han just stressed its importance. It is also a key measure in the playbooks and in the whole Winter Olympic Games. The playbooks have elaborated the requirements for closed-loop management. For all inbound personnel, they need to follow the closed-loop management policy during their entire stay in China. During this period, we will provide shuttle services between hotels and competition venues and other working sites. All activities have to be conducted within the closed loop. No personnel shall leave the loop, let alone reach areas outside the loop in the city – this is our bottom line. Therefore, for all personnel under the closed-loop management, they need to strictly follow personal protection measures and the requirements in the playbooks. This is also a key measure for us to ensure the safety and smooth operation of the Games and the safety of all participants.

As for the health monitoring we just mentioned, it will not only be conducted during the Games on a daily basis, but also be implemented 14 days before all Games participants' departure for China. All personnel should take the initiative to monitor their health situation and upload the results to the relevant system. I believe that we are very familiar with health monitoring. They need to conduct body temperature checks at least twice a day, get symptoms such as cough and sore throat checked out, and take suitable precautions for individual protection. That's all for the health monitoring.

The IOC and all stakeholders are very concerned about the convenience and timeliness of nucleic acid testing. Nucleic acid testing is a very important measure to prevent and control the epidemic. We will conduct nucleic acid tests for people in the closed loop every day. Such high-frequency tests constitute a potent measure that can ensure positive cases are found promptly and that the transmission chain is broken. We have also considered the sampling time of the athletes and other stakeholders, and made meticulous arrangements to ensure sampling will not affect the running of the Games. Sampling points have been set up in the Olympic Village, contracted hotels, centralized sites, and other venues. The sampling time is quite flexible, with the services available from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day. The athletes can go for tests based on their competition schedule without any appointments. The result of the sampling taken between 6 a.m. and 12 a.m. will come out before 8 p.m., and those between noon and 11 p.m. will come out before 6 a.m. the next day. Some people have asked if negative test results can be given on a daily basis. It is clarified in the handbooks that only those with positive results will be informed.

Thank you!