The FIVB is aware that a male beach volleyball player from Switzerland in the Main Draw of the World Tour 4-star Katara Beach Volleyball Cup 2021 in Doha, Qatar tested positive for COVID-19. The player was knocked out of the tournament on Wednesday 10 March and left Qatar early on Thursday morning with a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued by the event testing lab on the evening of 10 March, thus, permitting him to leave the country.
On the morning of Thursday 11 March, after the athlete had already left Qatar, a positive test result was received from the national testing lab based on the PCR test carried out on the evening of 9 March. The player produced negative test results when he underwent initial PCR testing earlier in the week.
Immediately following the test result, the player concerned was informed and he is currently asymptomatic. Swiss Volley was also notified and will take subsequent action to isolate the player and his close contacts, and follow all guidelines stipulated by Swiss health authorities.
Meanwhile, positive test results were identified for one male Russian and one male USA team staff member respectively during PCR tests carried on the evening of 10 March, which serve as the exit test to enable their departure from Qatar. Both positive test results were received on 11 March and 12 March respectively by the Doha event organiser. Immediately following the test result, the people concerned were required to quarantine. Any further action will adhere to the guidelines stipulated by local health authorities.
The FIVB remains in close contact with the event organiser and Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA), and will continue to monitor the situation closely. Rigorous health and safety measures at the event continue to be followed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participants.
Note for Information:
The World Tour 4-star Katara Beach Volleyball Cup in Doha, Qatar is scheduled on 8-12 March 2021, and the tournament is being held in a secure bubble. As per event hygiene protocol requirements, all participants are required to produce negative test results 72 hours before their arrival in Doha and an PCR test upon arrival at the Doha airport is mandatory. In addition, further in-competition PCR tests are required for participants.
All participants are required to stay in the event bubble which includes the competition and training venue and hotel, and are being transported by dedicated vehicles between the hotel and venue, or between the hotel and airport.