Beijing Olympics torch relay confined to closed venues COVID Winter Olympics news

Beijing is highly prepared for coronavirus after a handful of small epidemics across the country.

The organizers of the Beijing Winter Olympics have announced that the torch message will be isolated due to the spread of the coronavirus.

The post, which will feature 1,200 torchbearers, will begin on February 2 and end two days later when the games open in the capital, Beijing, and neighboring Hebei Province.

“This torch relay always puts safety first,” Beijing City Sports Bureau official Yang Haibin told a news conference on Friday.

“Taking into account factors such as epidemic prevention … torch communication and ceremonial activities will be held in safe and controlled confined spaces.”

Beijing, the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics, is high in the wake of the coronavirus after several small epidemics across the country, to which the authorities have responded with extensive restrictions and mass tests.

All flare-ups must be vaccinated and have a coronavirus test and their health must be monitored 14 days before the message.

The message route, which will be significantly shorter than before, will include a stop at the Great Wall, China’s most famous landmark, as well as the Beijing Olympic Parks, the Summer Palace and other venues, including the International Grape Exhibition Garden and Zhangjiakou Industrial Culture Park.

Only selected members of the audience will be able to view the post in person.

Beijing and Hebei City Zhangjiakou will hold games from February 4 to February 20 in a “closed tour” to keep participants separate from the audience and without spectators from the general public.

Preparations for the games have been disrupted by COVID-19 and a diplomatic boycott of the human rights situation in China by countries such as the United States.

According to China, it is betraying the Olympic principles and denying violations of rights.