How to build a health safeguard mechanism for China's 14th National Games

Shaanxi, the host province of China's 14th National Games, has established a highly efficient epidemic prevention and control system to ensure a "simple, safe and splendid" event.

XI'AN, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Strict epidemic prevention and control measures at the ongoing 14th National Games have seen fans allowed into stadiums, at the largest and highest-level multi-sport event held in China since the outbreak of COVID-19.

The women's volleyball tournament is held in the Ao Xiang Gym of Northwestern Polytechnical University. With audience members cheering and clapping, athletes once again experienced a raucous atmosphere that had lately been missing in competitions.

"I haven't had such a feeling for a long time! We hope fans can cheer for us in the gym, but it couldn't happen in recent months. Now, it gives us a thrill," said Jiangsu's Gong Xiangyu, one of the national team's leading lights at the Tokyo Olympics.

Italy's Caterina Chiara Bosetti (R) defends against Gong Xiangyu of China during their women's volleyball preliminary round match at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 31, 2021. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

To host a "simple, safe and splendid" sporting event and enable audiences to enjoy live sport safely, host province Shaanxi has implemented a string of anti-virus measures, including remote health monitoring, people-specific approaches and closed-loop management.

Audience members need to complete their COVID-19 vaccination 14 days before attending the Games, and provide negative nucleic acid tests 72 hours prior to attending.

Athletes, technical officers, correspondents and other participants are under a closed-loop 'bubble' and receive nucleic acid tests every 48 hours. During the Games, they need to take shuttle buses to stadiums that follow preset routes.

Li Meizhen of Fujian competes in the women's marathon at China's 14th National Games in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, Sept. 26, 2021. (Xinhua/Song Yanhua)

Au Chi Kun, head of the Macao track and field team, believes such measures are necessary for the National Games, "Our athletes understand and strictly follow the requirements," he said.

The organizers set up nucleic acid test stations in the media village and athletes' village in order for athletes, technical officials and journalists to get tests easily, according to Yang Fan, director of the epidemic prevention and control group of the National Games Village.

Besides National Games participants, Shaanxi also carries out routine nucleic acid tests among key groups and has accelerated COVID-19 vaccination programs. ■