Officials from the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the local Organising Committee held online discussions on the threat of COVID-19.

Sanya was due to stage this year's Asian Beach Games between November 28 and December 6 but the global health crisis has pushed the event into next year.

New dates of between April 2 and 10 have been confirmed after the Chinese Government decided to cancel the majority of international sporting events for the rest of 2020.

"The major talking point was the health and safety of the visitors to Sanya, which is a popular tourist resort on tropical Hainan Island, and the protocol before arrival in Sanya and departure to their respective countries and regions," the OCA said.

"This included quarantine procedures, testing, social distancing measures in the Games Village and the policy if an athlete tests positive during the Games."

OCA director general Husain Al Musallam added: "It is an urgent issue and a key point for the participation and the success of the Asian Beach Games."

More than 3,000 athletes and officials from more than 40 countries are expected to attend Sanya 2020, which has 19 sports on its programme and will keep its name despite taking place in 2021.

It is due to be the sixth edition of the Asian Beach Games.

"We will take everything into consideration," said Sanya's vice-mayor Zhou Jun, the deputy secretary general of the Organising Committee.

"We feel the Olympic spirit is becoming more important and we will keep in close contact with the OCA and join hands to ensure a successful Asian Beach Games."