A series of Southeast Asian countries plan to open their borders

The next goal of many countries will be to move towards treating COVID-19 as endemic diseaseliving with COVID-19 is like seasonal flu.

From to, Malaysia begin the transition to treat COVID-19 as an endemic disease and open borders to international visitors. With this change, the operating hours limit for properties will be lifted. Fully vaccinated international visitors will not need to be quarantined upon entering Malaysia.

Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said: “The transition to endemic disease is the exit strategy from the pandemic to bring us all back to a near-normal life after more than two years of fighting COVID-19, This transition is only temporary before the country officially enters the stage where COVID-19 is considered endemic according to WHO criteria.”

Thailand also approved a 4-step plan to transition to the stage of considering COVID-19 as an endemic disease from July 1. To consider COVID-19 an endemic disease, the mortality rate must not exceed 0.1%; Currently this ratio is close to 0.2%.

Laos organizes a large-scale food fair to encourage tourism development. Source: Radio Laos

While, Indonesia is also preparing a roadmap for transition from a pandemic to an endemic disease. Travel activities have also been relaxed. Since the beginning of March, Indonesia has piloted quarantine-free travel with international visitors to Bali and the Riau Islands.

Before, Singapore is the first country in Southeast Asia to prepare a plan to live with COVID-19 since last August.

Mr. S. Iswaran – Singapore’s Minister of Transport said: “As we learn to live with COVID-19 and Omicron, it is essential that we gradually open our air and sea borders. This step will restore and expand our vaccine travel corridors and get our borders back on track. The ultimate goal is quarantine-free travel for all vaccinated travelers.”

Countries expect the open-door and co-existence campaigns to help adapt flexibly when the epidemic has tended to subside, the rate of severe illness and death has decreased, and at the same time, it will help accelerate the post-post-economic recovery process. epidemic.

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