Singapore said on Thursday it will lift quarantine requirements for all vaccinated travellers from next month, joining a string of countries in Asia moving more firmly towards a “living with the coronavirus” approach.
Lee Hsien Loong, the city-state’s prime minister, said requirements to wear masks outdoors would be dropped and larger groups allowed to gather.
“Our fight against Covid-19 has reached a major turning point,” Lee said in a televised speech that was also streamed on Facebook. “We will be making a decisive move towards living with Covid-19.”
Singapore was one of the first countries to shift from a containment strategy for its 5.5 million population, but had to slow some of its easing plans due to subsequent outbreaks.
Now, as infection surges caused by the Omicron variant begin to subside in most countries in the region and vaccination rates improve, Singapore and other nations are removing a host of social distancing measures designed to stop the spread of the virus.
Singapore began lifting quarantine restrictions for vaccinated travellers from certain countries in September, with 32 countries on the list before Thursday’s extension to vaccinated visitors from any nation.
“The Singapore economy is emerging from the pandemic well vaccinated and in a relatively solid position to continue relaxing social distancing measures and international border restrictions,” said Brian Tan, a research analyst with Barclays.
Japan, Korea, Indonesia
Japan lifted this week restrictions imposed on Tokyo and 17 other prefectures that had limited hours of eateries and other businesses.
South Korea, where infections this week topped 10 million but appear to be stabilising, pushed back a curfew on eateries to 11pm, stopped enforcing vaccine passes and dropped quarantine for vaccinated travellers arriving from overseas.
Indonesia dropped quarantine requirements for all arrivals from overseas this week, and its Southeast Asian neighbours of Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia took similar measures, as they seek to rebuild tourism sectors.
Indonesia is also lifting a ban on travel for a Muslim holiday in early May that traditionally sees millions of people head to villages and towns to celebrate Eid al-Fitr at the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Australia will lift its entry ban for international cruise ships next month, effectively ending all major travel bans after two years.
New Zealand this week ended mandatory vaccine passes to visit restaurants, coffee shops and other public spaces.
Wellington will also lift vaccine mandates for a number of sectors from April 4 and open the borders for those on visa-waiver programmes from May.
Hong Kong, which has registered the most deaths per million people globally in recent weeks, plans to relax some measures next month.
The Chinese city will lift a ban on flights from nine countries, reduce quarantine and reopen schools after a backlash from business and residents.
- Reuters, with additional editing by George Russell
READ MORE:
Singapore Prices Rise at Fastest Pace in Nine Years
Singapore’s Jackfruit-Based Meat Startup Launches in US
Singapore Vaccine Travel Lanes Boost Visitor Arrivals – ST
