China has implemented a ‘closed loop system’ for these games. It is said that before this, such strict rules have not been implemented at any sporting event anywhere in the world. According to Chinese officials, under this rule, persons related to sports will have to stay inside a loop.
Ahead of the Winter Olympic Games starting Friday in Beijing, concerns have deepened due to the Corona epidemic here. Recently, infection with the Omicron variant of the corona virus has spread relatively more rapidly here. Although almost the entire population in Beijing and surrounding areas has been fully vaccinated, people who have been vaccinated with the Omicron variant are also becoming infected. Despite this, the Chinese authorities have remained adamant on organizing the Olympic Games according to the schedule.
‘Closed loop system’ implemented
China has implemented a ‘closed loop system’ for these games. It is said that before this, such strict rules have not been implemented at any sporting event anywhere in the world. According to Chinese officials, under this rule, persons related to sports will have to stay inside a loop. The purpose is that the infection should not reach between them in any way. Under this, the people of Beijing have even been instructed not to reach there for help even if an Olympic-related vehicle crashes.
These steps of China have drawn strong criticism at the international level. According to Professor Anne Sparrow at the Icahn School of Medicine in New York in the US, it seems that China is focusing more on protecting itself, not athletes. Athletes, teams from different countries, and journalists are being regularly tested for COVID after their arrival as per applicable rules. Those who are suspected to be infected are being quarantined. When players return to their home countries at the end of the competition, they will be taken directly to the airport. From there they will be sent to their country by non-commercial flights.
not ready to cancel the game
Famous American athlete Apollo Ohno, who arrived for the Winter Olympic Games, said in a conversation with the American website Rolling Stone- ‘China has taken its decision and they are going to implement it. They are not ready to cancel the game. But at the international level, the question has definitely arisen that despite such strict measures, will China really be able to save the Games from Omicron?
Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy in Minnesota, US, told the website axios.com – ‘The trillion dollar question is, will they be able to beat Omicron? In principle, they have made a plan that will save the Games from Kovid. But I cannot say anything with certainty about how effective this plan will really be against this virus.
Experts have pointed out that even during the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo last year, the International Olympic Committee followed strict rules. But there many people got infected with Kovid-19. The level of vaccination in the world then was not as high as it is today. China has put a condition for full vaccination before coming to the Beijing Olympic Games. Those who have not taken the vaccine, have had to stay in Quarantine here for 21 days.
