Exclusive | Hong Kong Sevens likely to go ahead with ‘closed loop’ like Beijing Winter Olympics, as rugby CEO talks up ‘catalyst’ for city
- City’s rugby union in advanced talks with government to overcome Covid-related challenges and ensure landmark occasion returns for first time since 2019
- Hong Kong residents working at the stadium or with the teams will need to quarantine for 7 days after it finishes
This year’s Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens is likely to operate under a closed-loop policy similar to the one used for the Winter Olympics in Beijing.
The Hong Kong Rugby Union is in advanced talks with the Home Affairs Bureau and the Centre for Health Protection about the event, which is scheduled for the first weekend in November.
Officials are exploring ways to ensure the landmark occasion can take place for the first time since 2019, with a variety of safeguards expected as the city continues its strict approach to Covid-19.
“We have worked closely with our friends in the Home Affairs Bureau to come up with a proposal that we believe will allow us to successfully host a Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens on November 4 to 6,” Robbie McRobbie, the union’s CEO, said.
“Some challenges remain, not least the significant additional costs to implement the required Covid measures, but we know how important it is – not just for HKRU, nor just our fantastic rugby community, but for our whole city – to get this on. This can be a real catalyst for Hong Kong.”
Previous attempts to stage the iconic rugby tournament have fallen foul of the need to combat the coronavirus pandemic, with the Sevens having been delayed five times in the intervening years.
Among the matters under consideration is for the 16 men’s teams involved to be kept isolated from each other, except when playing at the stadium. There are no plans to include women’s teams at this year’s event.
In addition to players, coaches and other staff, the hotel and hospitality workers, and those at the stadium within the confines of the pitch area and where teams change, would also be deemed to be inside the closed loop, meaning that they would have to stay in designated hotels before, during and in some cases after the event ends.