Shanghai disneyland, Theme park in Shanghai, China

China on Thursday admitted that Beijing Winter Olympics that is to be organized in 2022 could lead to an increase in COVID-19 cases.The Deputy Director of Epidemic Prevention and Control Office of Beijing Winter Olympic Organizing Committee, Huang Chun, said "COVID-19 cases or small clusters of infections" as "a large number of overseas personnel will gather, causing a very high risk of transmission," an official said at the State Council's press conference, reported CNN.Huang said the Committee and Chinese people were "very concerned" about the possible impact of potential COVID-19 cases inside the Olympic bubble on China's wider society."Our line of defence will prevent infections from spreading to the city, and we should hold this line especially regarding the highly contagious Omicron," Huang said.Han Zirong, Vice President and General Secretary of Beijing Winter Olympic Organizing Committee, added that COVID-19 cases had been found among athletes before boarding and at airport customs upon entry for test events since October, reported CNN.Han said those infected were put into quarantine and their close contacts were allowed to train and compete under strict protection -- some of whom even won gold medals.Meanwhile, Huang said that China is fully prepared for possible COVID-19 infections inside the Games bubble and coronavirus infected staff and athletes will not be able to compete or work, and will be sent to a designated hospital or isolation facility depending on whether the patient has symptoms or not.As for asymptomatic patients, Huang said they will be tested every 24 hours in the isolation facility and released if they present negative results twice within 24 hours, reported CNN.This includes one negative test within six hours of competition when they will be able to return to the Olympics "with some restrictions."Huang added the Organizing Committee also introduced policies regarding close contacts of positive cases.Affected athletes will have to lodge and eat separately from other participants, commute between their residence and stadium in special vehicles, take COVID-19 tests twice daily, and will be able to compete "under some conditions" if their tests come back negative.However, the organizing committee's admissions and guidelines on the virus follow the National Hockey League's (NHL) announcement that it's players would be opting out of the Games, reported CNN.The NHL announced on Wednesday that it will withdraw because of the "regular-season schedule having been materially disrupted as a result of increasing COVID cases and a rising number of postponed games."Further, China on Wednesday in sweeping restrictions, locked down the entire 13 million residents of Xi'an city after the COVID-19 cluster was found in the area.( With inputs from ANI )Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

Shanghai DisneylandFOLLOW

Shanghai disneyland, Latest News

China's regulatory body has unveiled a draft of new rules for domestic firms to raise funds overseas, allowing them to do so after registering with the regulator. ...

China's second-largest e-commerce company, Tencent on Thursday announced that it is giving away USD 16 billion of its stake in JD.com to stay on the right side of Beijing. ...

China's textile industry has criticised the new US Act that bans the imports of goods made with forced labour in Xinjiang, saying the Act is "wrong" and should be rescinded. ...

Beijing on Friday tightened epidemic prevention and control amid concerns around raging Omicron variant overseas as well as rising cases in China. ...

The Chinese province of Jilin is considering giving loans of up to USD 31,400 to couples who want to settle down and raise children, Sputnik reported citing a draft document published by the regional authority. ...

British writer Tom Fowdy claims that the US can't outcompete China due to its sclerotic political system. ...

Beijing, Dec 24 Smartphone brand Huawei has announced that it has sold over 100 million P series flagship ... ...

China on Thursday admitted that Beijing Winter Olympics that is to be organized in 2022 could lead to an increase in COVID-19 cases. ...