Just 19 days before the start of the Winter Olympics, Chinese authorities reported today (Saturday) the first case of infection with the contagious strain of omicron.
Officials sealed off the residence and workplace of the infected person, collecting 2,430 samples for testing from people connected to the two places.
The identification of the omicron version in Beijing comes as cities across the country have stepped up vigilance ahead of the Winter Olympics, which is set to begin on February 4th.
Authorities also warned at the press conference that Omicron adds to the increased risk of Corona transfer and warned people traveling across the country and returning to China from abroad for the Chinese New Year holiday starting at the end of the month.
Many local governments have advised residents not to leave the city unnecessarily during the holiday, while dozens of international and domestic flights have been suspended.
The February Winter Olympics in Beijing appear to be the most aggravated mass sporting event since the onset of the corona plague, with organizers adopting a "zero-stick" strategy.
The organizers hope to limit the spread of contamination and maintain the smooth running of the games by creating a "closed bubble" that will include all athletes, coaches, volunteers, officials, activists and media people who will not be in contact with the rest of the city.
Anyone who finds a bubble will enter it from the moment they land in the Chinese capital until the time they leave. Unlike Tokyo, where for example the media managed to leave the bubble after two weeks and go public, no one will be able to get out of the "closed loop" for the Beijing Games.
In addition and unlike Tokyo, everyone must be completely vaccinated or they will have to go into a 21-day closure when they arrive in China.
Everyone in the bubble will be checked daily for the virus and must wear face masks at all times.
In Tokyo it expanded to include medalists on the podium, although they were allowed to remove their masks for a short time for photos after the medal ceremony.
It seems that Beijing will have the same rule.
Beijing organizers have made it clear that people who do not follow the rules may be excluded from the games.
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