A second edition of the Beijing 2022 Playbooks was recently published by the International
Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the Beijing
Organising Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (Beijing 2022),
which sets principles of COVID-19 prevention for all parties joining the sports event.
Han Zirong, vice president and secretary general of the Beijing 2022 and other relevant officials
briefed the media on the latest pandemic control policy at a recent press conference held by the
State Council Information Office.
Han noted that the global spread of COVID-19, especially the Omicron and other variants of the
virus, has brought huge uncertainties to the world. It will be very possible that COVID-19 cases
may appear during the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as a large amount of
personnel flock to China from different countries and regions, she warned.
The playbooks are designed to ensure normal operation of the games, and conform to the COVID-
19 control principles of China, Han said.
According to relevant principles in the playbooks, except a few athletes and officials that are
granted medical exemptions, it will be mandatory for the others to be fully vaccinated at least 14
days prior to departure for China, in order to be allowed in the closed-loop management without
quarantine.
Han encouraged all participants to get a booster shot given the current complexity of the pandemic
around the world. Besides, nucleic acid test is required on a daily basis for participants under
closed-loop management and Chinese service staff directly facing foreigners.
All participants will reside in the Olympic and Paralympic Villages, or Beijing 2022-contracted
hotels. They will be allowed to move only between places in the closed loop using dedicated
vehicles. Any contact with the general public or anyone outside of the closed loop is prohibited.
Huang Chun, deputy director general of the Pandemic Prevention and Control Office of the
Beijing 2022, introduced that the organization has set up sampling sites for COVID-19 screening
tests at the Olympic and Paralympic Villages, Beijing 2022-contracted hotels, as well as other
accommodations and some of the venues. All sample collection sites will operate from 6:00 to
23:00.
According to him, asymptomatic infectors will be asked to stay in an isolation facility, while
symptomatic ones must be sent to designated hospitals for treatment. They will be discharged
from isolation in accordance with the discharge guidelines.
Li Ang, deputy head and spokesperson of the Beijing Municipal Health Commission, said injured
participants will be divided into five categories: confirmed and suspicious COVID-19 cases, fever
cases within the closed loop, other injuries within the closed loop, fever cases outside of the closed
loop, and other injuries outside of the closed loop. They will be received by 18 designated
hospitals to avoid cross infection.
Comprehensive clinics have been built in the Olympic and Paralympic Villages in Beijing and
Yanqing, which include emergency, rehabilitation, image, traditional Chinese medicine, dental and
other 13 departments. After the games start, the emergency department of the two clinics will be
running 24 hours each day, and the other departments 16 hours.
Han said all preparation work for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games has been
completed, and the Beijing 2022 will keep following the pandemic situation, respect experts’
opinions, maintain close communication with the IOC and the IPC, and keep the control measures
flexible.
“It is hoped that participants can understand the importance of the control measures in the
playbooks and strictly obey the rules. We have the confidence and resolution to make the 2022
Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games simple, safe and wonderful under the strong support of
the Chinese people and the international society,” Han noted.
