Amid Concerns Over Omicron Variants, Beijing Olympics Will Bring Athletes In Carter Airplanes

Illustration of a Beijing Olympic athlete (Twitter @Beijing2022)

JAKARTA - The Beijing Winter Olympics will rely on temporary and chartered flights from a number of cities, including Tokyo and Singapore, to bring athletes to the Games due to China's strict travel restrictions, amid concerns about COVID-19.

"The Omicron variant has spread to more than 50 countries, according to WHO data," said Beijing Olympics organizing committee official Zhang Liang.

"The epidemic prevention situation is still severe and complicated."

The Beijing Olympics, which kick off on February 4, will rely on chartered and temporary flights to carry athletes and other Olympic participants, with commercial flights in addition.

Athletes and other competitors must arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport before entering a closed loop system, strictly separated from the rest of China, where they will stay for the duration of their stay before departing.

Chinese and foreign airlines will participate in conducting temporary flights from several cities, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Paris and Tokyo.

"In the peak period of arrivals and departures to Beijing, an average of at least 15 inbound flights and 13 outbound flights can be provided every day," said Zhang Liang.

China has imposed strict restrictions on flights to the country amid some of the world's strictest COVID-19 controls.