Beijing: With just days ahead of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, China’s brutal Zero COVID Policy seems failing as foreign athletes arriving in the city test positive to the novel virus. According to Beijing authorities the infection tally rose to 37 after fresh infection were detected on Sunday.
Taking to their website, organizers on Monday confirmed that amongst the 28 new cases who tested positive on arrival were 8 athletes and team members who are due to participate in the upcoming games from February 4th.
Authorities have been imposing strict restrictions on officials, team members and media operating in the closed-loop bubble. Meanwhile, sources also report that Olympics organizers have imposed a secret lockdown in areas surrounding the venue. Over 20 lakh people are forced to stay indoors without any prior warning about the lockdown. People surrounding Beijing have not been allowed to enter or leave their residential areas, local virus prevention staff confirmed on Friday. Xiong County, in the vicinity of the Olympic Venue, would be under lockdown for a week officials quoted. It is reported that people will have to stay indoors as roadblocks are set up in certain routes.