Journalists are required to wear facemasks around Belgian Olympians as Covid cases are on the rise again. The measure will apply when in contact with Belgian athletes at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer.
The rule aims to prevent the spread of Covid-19 to competitors, the Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee (BOIC) confirmed on Tuesday. The measure is a repeat of rules adopted during the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, when the pandemic was in full swing.
"We are also asked to maintain a certain distance from the delegation members, but the athletes are not required to wear a face mask. They are of course free to do so," a spokesperson told Belga News Agency. The Olympic Village and the competition venues are considered "a bubble in which wearing a mask is not mandatory" for athletes.
However, "the usual recommendations apply, such as regularly disinfecting hands," the spokesperson added, explaining that BOIC is following "the recommendations of our medical team" and are "closely monitoring the situation".
Covid cases spike
Covid cases are currently experiencing a "summer wave", as has been the case every year since the pandemic began. New 'FLiRT' variants combined with bad weather have helped the virus to spread, but a spike in infections does not signal a problematic situation. Symptoms appear to be the same as ever, including coughing, a blocked nose, headache, muscle pain, nausea or vomiting and exhaustion.
Nevertheless, there are fears the virus will impact the roll-out of the Olympics. An Australian polo player has tested positive for Covid-19 and was subsequently isolated but Reuters reports that French and Australian officials have been quick to downplay wider implications for the sporting event.
"We are treating COVID no differently to other bugs like the flu. This is not Tokyo," chief of Australia's Olympic team Anna Meares said at a press conference. Meares added that all other athletes would wear masks and respect social distancing.
This year, the Tour de France reinstated similar rules to prevent participants from catching the virus.
