Inside Beijing's Winter Olympics bubble, China enforces strict COVID-19 pandemic measures
USA TODAY
![Medical personnel look on at the Women’s Curling Round Robin during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at National Aquatics Center on Feb 11, 2022.](/https/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/02/11/USAT/b61f9391-6aa9-4057-ab22-4d514e08c329-USP_Olympics__Curling-Women_Round_Robin.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Medical personnel look on at the Women’s Curling Round Robin during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at National Aquatics Center on Feb 11, 2022.
Rob Schumacher, USA TODAY Sports![Workers test the men’s restroom for COVID-19 at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games on Feb 10, 2022.](/https/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/02/11/USAT/65c4f55e-4873-4b8e-83d5-70e58289e605-USP_Olympics__Main_Media_Center_COVID_Testing.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Workers test the men’s restroom for COVID-19 at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games on Feb 10, 2022.
Peter Casey, USA TODAY Sports![Medical staff watches the game between United States of America and Switzerland in women's ice hockey Group A play during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at Wukesong Sports Centre on Feb 6, 2022 in Beijing, China.](/https/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/02/06/USAT/f70572cc-a9ce-4c89-ae62-bdae87acdc64-USP_Olympics-_Ice_Hockey-Women_Group_A_-_SUI-USA.jpg?crop=5194,3462,x0,y0&width=660&height=440&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Medical staff watches the game between United States of America and Switzerland in women's ice hockey Group A play during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at Wukesong Sports Centre on Feb 6, 2022 in Beijing, China.
George Walker IV, USA TODAY Sports![Workers wearing protective gear walk through the airport ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Feb. 1, 2022, in Beijing.](/https/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/02/08/USAT/c16924e9-b970-4455-ad54-6aa38ca51b5e-AP_Beijing_Olympics_Inside_The_Bubble.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Workers wearing protective gear walk through the airport ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Feb. 1, 2022, in Beijing.
Aaron Favila, AP![Fans looks on during the team figure skating pairs short program event during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at Capital Indoor Stadium on Feb 4, 2022.](/https/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/02/04/USAT/034447f6-b943-4dc4-a194-bceeba4e730b-USP_Olympics__Figure_Skating.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Fans looks on during the team figure skating pairs short program event during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at Capital Indoor Stadium on Feb 4, 2022.
Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports![Health personnel wear full protective clothing during during Covid-19 testing measures for journalists and athletes on arrival at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at Beijing Capital International Airport on Feb 3, 2022.](/https/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/02/03/USAT/83189554-00e1-43bc-8799-2941e79e225c-USP_Olympics__Beijing_2022_Features.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Health personnel wear full protective clothing during during Covid-19 testing measures for journalists and athletes on arrival at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at Beijing Capital International Airport on Feb 3, 2022.
Andrew P. Scott, USA TODAY Sports![A medical worker in protective gear is seen before a curling mixed doubles round robin match in the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at National Aquatics Centre on Feb. 2, 2022.](/https/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/02/02/USAT/fecc6b61-5179-487f-9baf-702d121b4c83-USP_Olympics-_Curling-Mixed_Doubles_Round_Robin.jpg?width=660&height=423&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
A medical worker in protective gear is seen before a curling mixed doubles round robin match in the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at National Aquatics Centre on Feb. 2, 2022.
Peter Casey, USA TODAY Sports![Workers march by the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics mascots in the Main Press Center before the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games on Feb. 1, 2022.](/https/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/02/02/USAT/95d97582-9dfa-43c1-ad01-a516fd728398-USP_Olympics-_Beijing_2022_Features.3.jpg?width=440&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Workers march by the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics mascots in the Main Press Center before the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games on Feb. 1, 2022.
Michael Madrid, USA TODAY Sports![A robot cleans the floors on the Main Press Center on Feb. 1, 2022 before the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.](/https/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/02/02/USAT/b92e2c73-cb39-49fd-a36b-b55de37850e5-USP_Olympics-_Beijing_2022_Features.1.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
A robot cleans the floors on the Main Press Center on Feb. 1, 2022 before the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
Peter Casey, USA TODAY Sports![Face masks hang on tables at a restaurant at the Olympic Village ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, in Beijing.](/https/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/02/02/USAT/dd5a523a-0d4d-477e-84dd-a26ce263ca92-AP_Beijing_Olympics.2.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Face masks hang on tables at a restaurant at the Olympic Village ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, in Beijing.
Pool Photo By Wang Zhao![Members of Team Norway stand for photographs after entering the gate of the Olympic Village ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, in Beijing.](/https/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/02/02/USAT/d8f25fd5-d6c1-480e-a98e-943c83cf02d6-AP_Beijing_Olympics.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Members of Team Norway stand for photographs after entering the gate of the Olympic Village ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, in Beijing.
Pool Photo By Anthony Wallace![Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, hands gifts to workers at a restaurant at the Olympic Village ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, in Beijing.](/https/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/02/02/USAT/9f2e5427-ae0f-4aeb-a310-0931bbda2165-AP_Beijing_Olympics.4.jpg?width=660&height=413&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, hands gifts to workers at a restaurant at the Olympic Village ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, in Beijing.
Pool Photo By Wang Zhao![An athlete orders food at a restaurant at the Olympic Village ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, in Beijing.](/https/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/02/02/USAT/9b3cc34b-cf19-4d12-a108-a1bdb049ef84-AP_Beijing_Olympics.1.jpg?width=660&height=431&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
An athlete orders food at a restaurant at the Olympic Village ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, in Beijing.
Pool Photo By Wang Zhao![A man takes a picture from outside the “Closed Loop” near the Main Press Center before the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games on Feb. 1, 2022.](/https/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/02/02/USAT/7379f628-8fbd-4e40-b447-1af7077d5a1c-USP_Olympics-_Beijing_2022_Features.2.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
A man takes a picture from outside the “Closed Loop” near the Main Press Center before the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games on Feb. 1, 2022.
Peter Casey, USA TODAY Sports![Members of Team Germany go through security after arriving at the Olympic Village ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing on Feb. 1, 2022.](/https/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/02/02/USAT/7f704a16-809b-4208-a57d-40a127d3cd22-AFP_9XQ6DX.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Members of Team Germany go through security after arriving at the Olympic Village ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing on Feb. 1, 2022.
ANTHONY WALLACE, POOL/AFP Via Getty Images![A general view of athletes' village room for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games on Dec. 24, 2021 in Beijing, China.](/https/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/02/02/USAT/43281c0a-a6d3-4ec5-bb96-28cbb85f08ae-GTY_1360631315.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
A general view of athletes' village room for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games on Dec. 24, 2021 in Beijing, China.
Emmanuel Wong, Getty Images![Workers go up an escalator in the Main Press Center before the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games on Feb. 1, 2022.](/https/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/02/02/USAT/5a0ad2aa-9c96-4035-8e06-f6f7afd57fe7-USP_Olympics-_Beijing_2022_Features.4.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Workers go up an escalator in the Main Press Center before the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games on Feb. 1, 2022.
Peter Casey, USA TODAY Sports![A worker prepares to administer a COVID-19 test at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, in Beijing.](/https/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/02/01/USAT/461fe8e3-5c53-46db-bb0c-1ea106b8786c-AP_APTOPIX_Beijing_Olympics.1.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
A worker prepares to administer a COVID-19 test at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, in Beijing.
David J. Phillip, AP![A worker wearing a protective suit sprays disinfectant at a screening checkpoint for arriving athletes at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, in the Yanqing district of Beijing.](/https/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/02/01/USAT/918a16b2-ebbe-47c8-89c4-9ac2224b190f-AP_APTOPIX_Beijing_Olympics.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
A worker wearing a protective suit sprays disinfectant at a screening checkpoint for arriving athletes at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, in the Yanqing district of Beijing.
Mark Schiefelbein, AP![A man poses with the sentence: "Welcome to Beijing" written on his hazmat suit in Yanqing, the region hosting the alpine skiing and sliding venues ahead of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, on Jan. 31, 2022.](/https/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/02/01/USAT/8e12faa8-b24b-45e9-9f7b-0aaec24cd7d3-AFP_AFP_9XL2C8.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
A man poses with the sentence: "Welcome to Beijing" written on his hazmat suit in Yanqing, the region hosting the alpine skiing and sliding venues ahead of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, on Jan. 31, 2022.
FABRICE COFFRINI, AFP Via Getty ImagesA woman and child wear protective masks as they walk by mascot Bing Dwen Dwen just outside the closed loop "bubble" for visitors and locals taking part in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, in front of the Olympic Tower at the Olympic Park on Jan. 19, 2022 in Beijing, China. Foreign and local athletes, officials, journalists, and support workers for the Winter Olympics are required to stay in a bubble to prevent the spread of coronavirus as China continues to maintain its zero COIVD policy. The games are set to open on Feb. 4th.
Kevin Frayer, Getty ImagesAn employee, wearing an hazmat suit, prepares to do a Covid-19 pcr test to new arrivals at Beijing Capital International Airport ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing on Jan. 27, 2022.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV, AFP Via Getty ImagesA general view as staff get the venue ready ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics at National Swimming Center on Jan. 28, 2022 in Beijing.
Lintao Zhang, Getty ImagesWorkers use zip ties to lock up a fence to help create a "bubble" surrounding the Beijing Olympic Park in Beijing, host to the 2022 Winter Olympic Games on Jan. 4, 2022. China is sealing February's Beijing Winter Olympics inside a giant bubble and hopes to deliver a "simple, safe and splendid" Games in keeping with the country's strict zero-Covid strategy.
NOEL CELIS, AFP Via Getty ImagesMedical personnel stand ready for activity during a scheduled speedskating practice session inside at the National Speed Skating Oval the 2022 Winter Olympics, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, in Beijing.
Jeff Roberson, APOlympic workers in protective gear work at a credential validation desk at the Beijing Capital International Airport ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Jan. 24, 2022.
Jae C. Hong, APA guard looks out the small window from behind a gate as a police officer patrols in front of a fenced-in hotel being used as part of the closed-loop management for people who have arrived for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics on Jan. 26, 2022 in Beijing, China. Athletes, officials, and journalists arriving to China for the Winter Olympics are required to stay in a bubble to prevent the spread of coronavirus as China continues to maintain its zero COIVD policy. The games are set to open on February 4th.
Kevin Frayer, Getty ImagesA staff member helps sanitize in the restaurant at the Main Media Center on Jan. 24, 2022 in Beijing. The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics are set to open February 4th.
Lintao Zhang, Getty ImagesA passenger walks a newly launched bullet train that will carry athletes to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic venues, at Qinghe Station in Beijing on Jan. 21, 2022.
NOEL CELIS, AFP Via Getty ImagesThe interior of the high-speed train between Beijing and the Zhangjiakou mountain cluster is pictured on Jan. 25, 2022 in Beijing, China. With just over one week to go until the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, final preparations are being made in Beijing ahead of the forthcoming 2022 Winter Olympics.
Carl Court, Getty ImagesA crew member wears a protective face mask and gloves on board the Hexie high-speed train arriving from Beijing, at Taizicheng railway station, the co-host city of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, on Nov. 25, 2021 in Zhangjiakou, China.
Lintao Zhang, Getty ImagesSecurity guards stand inside a fenced area next to the Main Media Center that is part of the closed loop "bubble" for visitors and locals taking part in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, at the Olympic Park on Jan. 19, 2022 in Beijing.
Kevin Frayer, Getty ImagesAn employee, wearing a hazmat suit, collectes a swab on a member of the media during a daily Covid-19 pcr test ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing on Jan. 27, 2022.
FABRICE COFFRINI, AFP Via Getty Images![A member of Chinese security guards an area within the closed-loop bubble created as a preventative measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus ahead of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games in the Chinese capital on Jan. 30, 2022.](/https/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/01/30/USAT/d13b50fd-1873-4c2c-99de-dd09d3b05c68-AFP_AFP_9XG3C8.jpg?crop=6725,4483,x0,y0&width=660&height=440&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
A member of Chinese security guards an area within the closed-loop bubble created as a preventative measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus ahead of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games in the Chinese capital on Jan. 30, 2022.
JEWEL SAMAD, AFP Via Getty ImagesWorkers put up billboards for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics before the area closed to visitors, on Jan. 2, 2022 in Zhangjiakou, China. The area, which will host ski and snowboard events during the Winter Olympics and Paralympics was closed off to all tourists and visitors as of Jan. 4, 2022 and will be part of the bubble due to the global coronavirus pandemic for athletes, journalists and officials taking part in the games.
Kevin Frayer, Getty ImagesSecurity staff in full personal protective kit wait to check people arriving in Zhangjiakou on the high-speed train from Beijing on Jan. 25, 2022 in Zhangjiakou, China.
Carl Court, Getty ImagesA venue staff member walks past an Olympic display wall at the Main Media Center on Jan. 24, 2022 in Beijing, China.
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