Concerns Over Novel Coronavirus... Chinese Women's Soccer Team Quarantined in Hotel in Australia

International Sports Events Scheduled in China Face Consecutive Cancellations and Postponements

On the 28th, as fear of the novel coronavirus infection known as 'Wuhan pneumonia' spreads, fever screening is being conducted for hospital visitors at Bundang Seoul National University Hospital in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Jinhyung Kang, Seongnam aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Due to concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) originating in Wuhan, China, the Chinese women's soccer team players visiting Australia for a tournament have been placed under quarantine in a hotel.

On the 29th (local time), according to the Football Federation Australia and local media, the Chinese women's soccer team, which traveled to Australia for the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics women's soccer Asian final qualifiers, will be quarantined in their accommodation, a hotel in Brisbane, until February 5th due to concerns about virus spread.

The Chinese women's soccer team was grouped in Group B with Australia, Thailand, and Taiwan for the Tokyo Olympics Asian final qualifiers. Originally, the Group B qualifiers were scheduled to be held in Wuhan, China, from February 3rd to 9th, but due to the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus, the venue was changed to Nanjing, located 550 km away from Wuhan. However, as pneumonia cases were confirmed throughout China, the venue was changed again to Campbelltown Sports Stadium on the outskirts of Sydney, Australia.

The Football Federation Australia suspended ticket sales for the matches as the Chinese team was quarantined in the hotel. They plan to discuss the progress of the qualifiers with the Australian government and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) before announcing a new schedule. The Football Federation Australia stated, "The AFC and the Australian federation prioritize the safety of all players, officials, and fans."

Due to the spread of the novel coronavirus, international sports events in China, which were expected to attract large crowds, are being canceled one after another. The International Ski Federation (FIS) decided to cancel the Alpine Ski World Cup event scheduled to be held in Beijing, China, for two days starting February 15th. This event was planned as the first test event for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

Additionally, the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships scheduled to be held in Hangzhou on February 12th and 13th were canceled, and the World Indoor Athletics Championships planned for March 13th to 15th in Nanjing were postponed.