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Theomicron variantis complicating tons of plans for 2022and the upcoming2022 Winter Olympicsare no exception.
Carl Court / Getty Images
So if you have questions like What are the Olympic COVID-19 rules?
or even Are the 2022 Olympics still happening?
Well, both are totally valid and fair.
(Some of the preliminary sporting events start before the actual opening ceremonies.)
The games are then expected to wrap on Sunday, February 20, with closing ceremonies in Beijing.
The big caveat to all this?
Because of the ongoingCOVID-19 pandemicespecially in light of the highly contagious omicron varianttheres a chance these plans could shift.
As with all things in the pandemic era, theres a good amount of uncertainty surrounding the 2022 Olympics.
What is clear: This edition of the Winter Games will look a lot different than prior years.
What are the Olympic COVID-19 rules at the Beijing Games?
All participants will have to take two COVID-19 PCR tests within 96 hours of their departure to China.
They will be tested again upon arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport to help confirm they dont have COVID-19.
Learn more about COVID-19 rules at the 2022 Gameshere.
Will there be spectators at the Olympics?
Previous guidance from September of 2021 had allowed people in mainland China who met COVID-19 countermeasures to purchase tickets.
However, the president of the gameslater allowed domestic spectators onlyto attend Olympic events in person.
Were past Olympic COVID-19 rules effective?
Of course, the success ofanyCOVID-19 mitigation strategies depends on how closely people are following them.
According toTheNew York Times,news outlets reported haphazard enforcement in Tokyo, along with violations of protocol.
How does the COVID-zero goal in China play a part?
China has taken a different approach to combating the pandemic than the U.S. and many other countries.
Despite these recent cases, the 2022 Games are currently still scheduled to go on as planned.
What teams have pulled out for COVID-related reasons?
At least one team so far has decided to skip the games.
Can the Olympics be canceled?
Right now, though, the chances of that happening seem very low.
On the off chance the 2022 Games are canceled or postponed, it wouldnt be the first time.
