Organisers of the Beijing Winter Olympics have gone the extra mile to ensure safety of the participants at the upcoming Games.
While last year's Summer Tokyo Olympics took place in a porous 'bubble', the perimeters of Beijing's 'closed loop' are sealed and guarded in an effort to combat Covid-19's highly transmissible Omicron variant.
Once inside the closed loop, people cannot leave until they either depart the country or complete several weeks of quarantine. This includes about 20,000 Chinese volunteers and staff at the venues.
The loop began on January 4 and opened fully by January 23. Authorities are determined to create a physical barrier between participants and the general population, with the loop covering sealed-off sections of Olympic venues and designated accommodation. Participants are required to move between them using designated transport services.
Food delivery from restaurants outside the loop is not allowed. At the main press centre, some of the food is prepared and served by robot chefs that assemble hamburgers and deliver dishes to tables from an overhead grid. There are even coffee-making robots at the Taizicheng train station in Zhangjiakou, which is one of the venues for the Games.
As expected, regular sanitisation is being carried out throughout the bubble.
More than 2,000 international athletes are set to arrive in China for the Games, along with 25,000 other stakeholders. However, there will be no international spectators at the Beijing Games. The Olympics begin on February 4.
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
F1 drivers' standings
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 281
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 222
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 177
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 138
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 93
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 86
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 56
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