The People’s Liberation Army Navy had been widely expected to launch the new carrier around the navy’s 73rd anniversary, on April 23, reports South China Morning Post.

“But the plan faces delay as the rampant pandemic in Shanghai has delayed the transport of some key components,” one of the sources, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, told the newspaper.

Authorities have imposed a strict lockdown in Shanghai city for the past several weeks amid rising COVID-19.