Hangzhou, China, April 26, 2023: The Olympic Council of Asia’s Vice President for the 19th Asian Games, Mr Song Luzeng, welcomed an easing of pandemic protocols ahead of the Hangzhou showpiece in September and October.
On the second afternoon of the two-day Chefs de Mission Seminar at the Intercontinental Hotel on Wednesday, organising committee HAGOC said that vaccination against Covid-19 was not mandatory before entering China, and that there would be no mandatory quarantine for any athlete testing positive.
Furthermore, HAGOC said Covid-19 tests would be available during the Asian Games but were not mandatory.
This left the only requirement, at this stage, being a Covid-19 test within 48 hours of entering China.
Mr Song said this was good news for the Asian Games, which will take place from September 23 to October 8.
“Yesterday (Tuesday), the Foreign Ministry spokesman set the new measures because now the PCR test is no longer needed; so, for international travellers, I think that is a good sign. For the Asian Games I don’t think there is a problem in this respect. It is much easier without the PCR test.”
Although HAGOC “encouraged” visitors to take the Covid-19 vaccine before arriving in China, the organisiing committee said it was not “a mandatory requirement”.
Mr Song added: “With the change of the situation concerning the pandemic, the looser measures should be taken according to the facts. That’s good for the Asian Games - especially for sports people because it is easier for us to have the sports competitions.”
HAGOC announced that version one of the Hangzhou 2022 Covid-19 Prevention and Control Playbook would be published by May 31, and the second edition before July 31.
The two-day Chefs de Mission Seminar concluded on Wednesday afternoon with presentations on National Olympic Committee Services, Arrivals and Departures, Protocol and International Dignitaries Services, Ceremonies, Ticketing, Security, Medical Services and Technology.
Delegates heard there would be more than 3 million tickets available for the 600+ sessions in the 54 competition venues, and that NOCs would have two flagbearers – one female, one male – for the opening ceremony parade on September 23.
The OCA’s Asian Games Director, Haider Farman, said the feedback he had received from NOCs was “very positive and really encouraging” and thanked HAGOC for all their efforts in creating this feeling of trust.
The Mayor of Hangzhou, Yao Gaoyuan, thanked the NOCs and OCA for their advice during the venue tours and presentations and said their comments would be incorporated into the final preparations, with 150 days left to the opening ceremony.