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Athletes at 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics Must Remain in 'Closed-Loop' System

Beijing Ski and Snow News
by Jori Ayers Sep 30, 2021

The 2022 Bejing Winter Olympics are coming with a new set of restrictions that could be the most rigorous rules yet for the Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee announced on Wednesday the new principles that will be put into place that will help deliver a safe Olympic and Paralympics in 2022. The new principles of the Bejing Winter Olympics and Paralympics will operate like a ‘closed-loop management system.’

This closed-loop management system will be a bubble-like environment where athletes, journalists, volunteers, and other officials will have to do everything — including eating, sleeping, working, and competing — all in the ‘bubble’ without leaving.

Everyone will stay in this ‘closed-loop management system’ from the time they arrive until the time they depart. According to the International Olympic Committee, this closed-loop system will cover all Games-related areas, including arrival and departure, transport, accommodation, catering, competitions, and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

Participants will only be allowed to move between Games-related venues for training, competitions, and work within this loop. For the vaccination policy, those who are vaccinated will enter the closed-loop management system, and those who aren’t will have to quarantine for 21 days upon arrival in Bejing. Testing will be required daily for anyone in this closed-loop management system.

An updated version of this new principle will be released in October, and a second version will be published in December.

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