A new coronavirus testing requirement is set to impact arrivals for the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games from countries including China ©Getty Images

A new coronavirus testing requirement announced by the United States Government is set to affect arrivals from China, Hong Kong and Macau for the Lake Placid 2023 International University Sports Federation (FISU) World University Games.

The Chinese delegation for the Lake Placid 2023 FISU Games will be affected by the new rules, according to a communication from FISU’s administration team seen by insidethegames.

The new requirements come into force at midnight EST on Wednesday January 5 and affect anyone over two years of age travelling to the United States from China, Hong Kong or Macau, and anyone travelling from Seoul, Toronto or Vancouver who have been any of the above countries in the previous ten days.

All passengers regardless of citizenship or vaccination status are required to produce a negative coronavirus test taken no more than two days before their flight departs.

In a statement provided to insidethegames Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games chief operating officer Ashley Walden said: "The Organising Committee is aware of the new federal guidelines in place and is working closely with the Chinese delegation and FISU to assist in any way possible. 

"Additionally, we are notifying all participants of the new federal policy so that they may communicate it to their delegates, officials and athletes.

"We will continue to monitor the situation."

The new policy has been introduced by United States President Joe Biden’s administration in response to China reopening its borders, with concerns about the numbers of positive cases of the virus in China.

The Lucerne 2021 Winter Universiade was cancelled at short notice due to a change in coronavirus restrictions in Switzerland ©Lucerne 2021
The Lucerne 2021 Winter Universiade was cancelled at short notice due to a change in coronavirus restrictions in Switzerland ©Lucerne 2021

The country is reporting around 5,000 cases per day, as reported by BBC News, although analysts claim that such numbers may be significantly undercounted, and the actual totals could be nearer a million per day.

Until this scheduled relaxation of the rules, China has largely adopted a "zero-COVID" policy, which had led to the cancellation or postponement of several sporting events, including the Asian Games in Hangzhou, now due to take place in 2023.

A total of 1,443 athletes are due to take part in the Lake Placid 2023 FISU Games, scheduled to be held from January 12 to 22.

The previous edition of the FISU Winter World University Games was due to take place in Lucerne, Switzerland, in 2021, but was cancelled at short notice due to a change in coronavirus restrictions in the host nation.

insidethegames has contacted FISU for a comment.