(Photo: AFP)

Huang Chun, a member of the Organizing Committee, said Beijing's current COVID-19 prevention strategy including a "closed-loop" system is working effectively and that the overall situation is under control.

He gave the statement as China is facing great pressure from the COVID-19 outbreak and most recently the detection of the Omicron variant in Tianjin city, which is about 30 minutes by train from Beijing.

Since January 4, China has adopted a closed loop strategy to ensure safety of officials and athletes attending the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics from February 4 to 20. Thousands of volunteers and staff participating in the Olympics are not allowed to leave the designated area within the closed loop.

Reporters and about 3,000 athletes will be allowed to move only within the loop during their stay in China.