What’s Opening in Asia : And how they are doing
From Phuket to Colombo: Asia is getting ready for you!
Many countries in Asia have already started mass COVID1-9 vaccine inoculations, and we’re seeing positive impacts. As governments strive to achieve herd immunity, they are also slowly reopening their borders to leisure travelers – and without days-long quarantines!
PHUKET
Starting July 1, the tropical of island of Phuket in Thailand will be allowing fully vaccinated travelers to enter and stay on the island without quarantines and restrictions. International travelers are required to stay in Phuket for 7 days before traveling to other destinations. For other destinations within Thailand, a seven days quarantine period is still required.
SRI LANKA
As of April 7, 2021, Sri Lanka removed some of the restrictive regulations for vaccinated travelers, like 1 less PCR test and a considerably shorter quarantine period. Vaccinated passengers will only have to stay 24-48 hours in government-approved accommodation while they await the results of their test on arrival. After receiving a negative result, vaccinated travelers are free to leave quarantine and the ‘bio-bubble’ to roam around the country.
SINGAPORE AND BALI
Singapore and Bali, meanwhile, are in talks with selected low-risk countries for travel bubbles from May. There are still mandatory quarantines and movement restrictions, but these may be lifted in the coming weeks depending on the COVID-19 situation in these areas.
VIETNAM
The central province of Quang Nam, home to charming Hoi An, wants to welcome vaccinated international visitors with negative Covid-19 test results. Each visitor should have a vaccine passport (documented proof of vaccination) and a certificate from medical agencies showing negative Covid-19 test results. The group of tourists will go on a charter flight to the Chu Lai Airport and be taken straight to resorts in Duy Xuyen District or Nui Thanh District for 5-10 days, not to quarantine facilities.
COVID-19 SITUATION IN ASIA
VIETNAM
Positive COVID-19 Cases: 2,781 Active Cases: 271 Death: 35
Vietnam remains closed to general tourism. Only Vietnamese nationals, foreigners on diplomatic or official business, and highly skilled workers allowed to enter the country at this time
COVID-19 vaccinations are underway. As of now, only frontline workers are being vaccinated.
Vietnam observes several levels of quarantine
CAMBODIA
Positive COVID-19 Cases: 6,389 Active Cases: 3,870 Death: 43
Cambodia is currently on a two-week lockdown as number of infections and fatalities rise in the capital city of Phnom Penh
Cambodia has shut down its most popular tourist destination, the temples of Angkor, for two weeks, while the nearby town of Siem Reap has also announced a two-week lockdown
Sinopharm and Sinovax – are free for both locals and expatriates
LAOS
Positive COVID-19 Cases: 58 Active Cases: 9 Death: 0
Lockdown measures have been eased; locals can now travel domestically
International borders and ports remain closed. People are forbidden from entering and exiting the country, with limited exceptions
The government now requires foreign visitors to buy COVID-19 insurance to be granted entry
THAILAND
Positive COVID-19 Cases: 42,352 Active Cases: 13,501 Death: 101
New transmissions have appeared in Bangkok,Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Nonthaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Samut Prakan. These areas have already imposed self-quarantines
Schools and bars nationwide are closed for two weeks
Phuket is reopening to fully vaccinated tourists from July 1. There will be no quarantines, but travelers need to stay in the island for 7 days before they can move to a different province
Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has told agencies related to air transportation to refrain from operating domestic flights from 11pm to 4am in a bid to tackle the new wave of Covid-19
MYANMAR
Positive COVID-19 Cases: 142,628 Active Cases: 7,527 Death: 3,206
The ongoing mass protests in Myanmar have paralyzed the country’s Covid-19 response, as many health workers are on strike and testing efforts on hold
Much of Myanmar remains under a curfew imposed shortly after the coup, running from 8pm to 4am every day
It is very unsafe to travel to Myanmar as of this time
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