Hong Kong eyes ‘closed loop’ system for 7s
HONG KONG - Organisers of the Hong Kong 7s will look to set up a “closed loop” system similar to that used at the Beijing Winter Olympics in a bid to stage the event for the first time since 2019, local media reported yesterday.
The South China Morning Post, citing unnamed sources, reported that negotiations between the Hong Kong Rugby Union and the city’s Home Affairs Bureau were at an advanced stage in an effort to host the 7s in the first weekend of November.
Hong Kong has imposed some of the tightest border restrictions in the world since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with vaccinated visitors only permitted entry after a compulsory seven-day hotel quarantining period.
The city’s highest-profile sporting event has not been held since 2019, with efforts to hold it cancelled on five occasions due to pandemic restrictions.
The report said players, coaches and staff would operate inside a loop that would only permit teams to spend time at venues and hotels and they would not be permitted to interact with anyone outside of the loop.
Local staff working at the event would also be included in the closed loop and would have to complete seven days hotel quarantine upon completion of their duties.
The article said organisers were considering allowing Hong Kong Stadium to operate at 85 per cent of its 40,000 capacity and the plans were contingent on the current conditions in the city remaining unchanged.
While Hong Kong has seen an increase to over 1000 daily cases in the past week, officials have said they were unlikely to further tighten restrictions as the pressure on medical services has not increased.
BALTIMORE Ravens outside linebacker Jaylon Ferguson has died at the age of 26.
The team announced Ferguson’s sudden death yesterday.
“We are profoundly saddened by the tragic passing of Jaylon Ferguson,” the Ravens said.
“He was a kind, respectful young man with a big smile and infectious personality. We express our heartfelt condolences to Jaylon’s family and friends as we mourn a life lost much too soon.”
Police said officers responded to a home in north Baltimore late on Tuesday night (local time) and found Ferguson unresponsive and being treated by medics. He never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities said there were no signs of trauma or foul play. The medical examiner’s office will determine a cause of death.