The Beijing Winter Olympics Organizing Committee announced last week that tickets will no longer be sold to the general public due to COVID-19.
Those living in China’s mainland were at first the only people allowed to buy tickets for the Winter Games, but now the organizing committee is discontinuing sales overall “given the current grave and complicated situation of the COVID-19 pandemic,” The Hill reports.
The Committee wrote in a statement that it’s implementing the new policy “to ensure the safety of all participants and spectators.”
The Committee will instead invite groups of spectators to view the games in-person. The groups will have to “strictly abide by” COVID-19 protocols before, during and after all events as “pre-conditions for the safe and sound delivery of the Games.”
Last week, China increased restrictions in preparation for the Games, banning all airline passengers who travel to the country through a third point. China also said Beijing would begin implementing testing for children who attend international schools.
Additionally, Beijing is planning to require all individuals traveling to the city to be tested within 72 hours of arrival, set to take effect on January 22 and last through the end of March.
