Photo: VCG via Getty
On Monday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) updated itsspectator policyannouncing a new “adapted [program]” with only invited groups of spectators in attendance after following strict COVID-19 safety protocols.
The decision comes shortly after officials in Beijing reported their first case of the highly contagiousOmicron varianton Saturday, prompting an immediate lockdown and mass COVID-19 testing,The New York Timesreports.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Though the committee hasn’t mandated vaccines in order to participate, the U.S. and Canada have made it a requirement for athletes.
A negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival in China will also be required, and if not fully vaccinated, individuals will face a mandatory 21-day quarantine.
RELATED VIDEO: Shaun White Opens Up About His Goals for Beijing & Finding Love With Nina Dobrev: “She’s Been A Lifesaver”
“I don’t think these things are postponable,” he explained. “In almost every respect the arrow has left the bow. They’re going to start Feb. 4 and it would take a real upset of some sort to change that.”
The 2022 Winter Olympics opening ceremony will air the morning of Feb. 4 in the U.S., as Beijing is 12 hours ahead of the Eastern time zone. The program will be available to watch on local NBC stations as well as NBC Sports and streaming on Peacock.
To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, visitTeamUSA.org. Watch the Winter Olympics, beginning this February, and the Winter Paralympics, beginning this March, on NBC.
As information about thecoronavirus pandemicrapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from theCDC,WHOandlocal public health departments.PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMeto raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, clickhere.
source: people.com
