TO 102 days to the opening ceremony of the Winter Games in Beijing, China raises the level of restrictions due to the increase in COVID cases. After canceling the Wuhan marathon at the last minute, the organizers announced that the Beijing marathon, scheduled for Sunday 31st, will not be held either.. “In order to prevent the risk of transmission of the epidemic and to effectively protect the health and safety of athletes, staff and residents in the capital,” the statement read. About 30,000 runners were expected to participate in the event.
The Those responsible for the Games, which will begin on February 4, have admitted that they are “facing great pressure” due to COVID. Chinese authorities work to contain the infection with mass testing and targeted shutdowns. For example, yesterday they announced the suspension of interprovincial travel in five regions where cases have been detected, including Beijing. Some cities have also suspended bus and taxi services. Tens of thousands of people in North China are locked up as of today. The last communication registered 39 new cases, figures are very low compared to the rest of the world, but the country has always followed a strategy of zero cases during the pandemic.