Many countries continue to loosen and open their doors
More and more countries around the world continue to relax or lift Covid-19 prevention measures to gradually return to normal life.
Most recently, New Zealand on May 2 opened its borders to visitors from about 60 visa-free countries after removing most of the remaining entry restrictions. Three weeks earlier, the country welcomed Australian tourists.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said more than 90,000 people had booked flights to the country within seven weeks of the reopening decision was announced. Ms Ardern added that there are currently no plans to relax testing and vaccination requirements for foreign visitors before entering after arriving in New Zealand.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, New Zealand welcomed more than 3 million visitors a year. However, international travel came to a halt in early 2020 after the country imposed some of the world’s strictest entry restrictions.
In Europe, Greece and Italy on May 1 loosened epidemic prevention regulations, making it easier for tourists to go there for their summer vacation.
The Greek Civil Aviation Authority announced the removal of all Covid-19 regulations for domestic and international flights, except for the requirement to wear a mask at the airport and in flight. Previously, passengers were required to provide proof of vaccinations, negative test results or just recovered from Covid-19.
In this country, vaccination certificates are temporarily abandoned from May 1 to August 31. By August, according to the Associated Press, authorities will decide whether to use it again. However, people are still required to wear masks in indoor spaces and inside vehicles. Experts also recommend wearing masks at crowded events.
A place that attracts many visitors in Rome in early April 2022 after the Italian government began to lift Covid-19 prevention measures Photo: Reuters
Meanwhile, visitors to Italy do not need to make a medical declaration online at the airport. In addition, this country removed the requirement that people need a medical pass to enter places such as restaurants, cinemas, gyms …
However, a “green card” (certificate of vaccinations, recent recovery, or negative test results) is still required for access to hospitals and nursing homes. The regulation of wearing masks at some indoor locations (supermarkets, workplaces, shops, etc.) has also been lifted. However, people still have to wear masks when using public transport or going to health care facilities and nursing homes.
Italian health officials cautioned that the vaccination campaign should still be maintained and urged people to continue to be cautious by wearing masks in indoor spaces, crowded places or places where there is danger. chance of infection.
Tourism revenue in Italy and Greece fell in 2020 and only partially recovered in 2021. Now, with the above steps, these countries expect the situation to improve further in 2022.
Greece’s neighbor Albania also lifted many of its restrictive measures on May 1. On the same day, Bulgaria lifted all entry restrictions for travelers. In the Americas, Chile reopened all land borders from May 1.
The first day of May also recorded Kuwait lifting all Covid-19 prevention measures. Notably, people entering the country are not required to have a PCR test or provide proof of vaccination.
Meanwhile, visitors to Thailand do not need to be tested if they are fully vaccinated. In Malaysia, the Malay Mail quoted Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin as saying that from May 1, some people will not need to be tested before and after arriving in the country, including people aged 18 and over. fully immunized and persons 17 years of age or younger regardless of immunization status.
China: Still mass testing and blockade
Authorities in Shanghai – China on May 2 said they had recorded 58 new cases of Covid-19 outside of areas under blockade. According to Reuters, this information not only dealt a blow to the efforts to control the epidemic in Shanghai, but also disappointed many locals. At the weekend, they breathed a sigh of relief at the news that for two days in a row no new cases had occurred outside of places under lockdown. Overall, the whole of Shanghai has added 6,804 new cases and 32 deaths, down from 2 numbers 7,189 and 38 of the previous day.
In the capital Beijing, the government has tightened epidemic prevention measures during the holiday from April 30 to May 4. Despite recording dozens of new infections every day for the second week, Beijing still did not blockade. Instead, authorities conducted mass testing to trace and isolate cases. In addition, restaurants have to close and some apartment buildings are locked down. The streets are deserted and pedestrians must present a negative test result to enter most public places.
According to CNN’s estimates, at least 27 cities across China are under partial or complete blockade, affecting the lives of about 180 million people. However, the country shows no sign of changing its “zero tolerance for Covid-19” policy despite the world’s second-largest economy suffering increasing damage while the global supply chain is affected. enjoy.
Spring Mai
at Blogtuan.info – Source: nld.com.vn – Read the original article here
