Due to China's strict travel restrictions and fears over COVID-19, the Beijing Winter Olympics would rely mostly on temporary and chartered aircraft from locations like Tokyo and Singapore to bring in athletes for the Games, an official said on Friday.

"The Omicron variant has already spread to over 50 countries, according to WHO data," Zhang Liang, a Beijing Olympics organizing committee official, said during a press conference.

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

The Beijing Olympics, which begin on February 4, will rely on chartered and temporary planes to transport athletes and other visitors, with commercial flights serving as a backup, according to Zhang.

 

Athletes and other guests will need to fly into Beijing Capital International Airport before entering a closed loop that will keep them isolated from the rest of China for the duration of their trip.

These temporary flights would be organized by Chinese and international airlines from locations like Hong Kong, Singapore, Paris, and Tokyo, he added.

"At least 15 inbound flights and 13 outgoing flights can be offered every day during peak hours of arrivals and departures to Beijing," he added.

China has imposed rigorous restrictions on planes into the nation, including some of the world's strictest COVID-19 regulations.