Omicron Will "Lead To Challenges" For 2022 Winter Olympics, Says China
NDTV
2022 Beijing Winter Olympics: Although China has largely quashed coronavirus within its borders through travel restrictions and snap lockdowns, recurrent domestic outbreaks of the Delta variant have put authorities on high alert.
China warned Tuesday that the fast-spreading Omicron Covid-19 variant would cause challenges in hosting next February's Winter Olympics in Beijing.
Although China has largely quashed the coronavirus within its borders through travel restrictions and snap lockdowns, recurrent domestic outbreaks linked to the Delta variant have put the authorities on high alert.
"I think it will definitely lead to challenges linked to prevention and control," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said, adding that Beijing "appreciates the efforts by South Africa in offering timely information" on the variant.
"But China has a lot of experience in responding to Covid-19," Zhao added. "I firmly believe the Winter Olympics will be conducted smoothly."
