News

People wearing face masks pass a sign encouraging social distancing during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak at Marina Bay, Singapore, September 22, 2021.REUTERS/Edgar Su/File photo
SINGAPORE, March 24 (Reuters) – Singapore said on Thursday it will lift quarantine requirements for all vaccinated travelers from next month, joining a slew of countries in Asia in taking a more determined approach to “combining with the coronavirus”. virus coexistence”.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the financial centre would also lift the requirement to wear masks outdoors and allow larger groups to gather.
“Our fight against COVID-19 has reached an important turning point,” Lee said in a televised speech, which was also broadcast live on Facebook.”We will take a decisive step towards coexistence with COVID-19.”
Singapore was one of the first countries to shift its 5.5 million population from a containment strategy to the new COVID normal, but had to slow down some of its easing plans due to the ensuing outbreak.
Now, as a surge in infections caused by the Omicron variant begins to subside in most countries in the region and vaccination rates increase, Singapore and other countries are rolling back a series of social distancing measures aimed at stopping the spread of the virus.
Singapore began lifting quarantine restrictions on vaccinated travelers from certain countries in September, with 32 countries on the list before Thursday’s extension to vaccinated travelers from any country.
Japan this week lifted restrictions on limited opening hours for restaurants and other businesses in Tokyo and 17 other prefectures.read more
South Korea’s coronavirus infections surpassed 10 million this week but appeared to be stabilizing, as the country extended restaurant curfews to 11 p.m., stopped enforcing vaccine passes and canceled travel bans for vaccinated travelers from overseas. isolate.read more
Indonesia this week lifted quarantine requirements for all overseas arrivals, and its Southeast Asian neighbors Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia have taken similar steps as they seek to rebuild tourism.read more
Indonesia also lifted a travel ban on the Muslim holiday in early May, when millions of people traditionally travel to villages and towns to celebrate Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan.
Australia will lift its entry ban on international cruise ships next month, effectively ending all major coronavirus-related travel bans in two years.read more
New Zealand this week ended mandatory vaccine passes to restaurants, coffee shops and other public places.It will also lift vaccine requirements for some sectors from April 4 and open borders to those under the visa waiver program from May.read more
In recent weeks, Hong Kong, which has the world’s highest number of deaths per million people, plans to ease some measures next month, lifting a ban on flights from nine countries, reducing quarantines and reopening schools after backlash from businesses and residents .read more
Travel and travel-related stocks in Singapore surged on Thursday, with airport ground handling company SATS (SATS.SI) up nearly 5 percent and Singapore Airlines (SIAL.SI) up 4 percent.Public transit and taxi operator Comfortdelgro Corp (CMDG.SI) rose 4.2 percent, its biggest one-day gain in 16 months.The Straits Times Index (.STI) rose 0.8%.
“After this major step, we will wait some time for the situation to stabilize,” he said.”If all goes well, we will relax further.”
In addition to allowing gatherings of up to 10 people, Singapore will lift its 10:30 p.m. curfew on food and drink sales and allow more workers to return to their workplaces.
Still, masks are still mandatory in several places, including South Korea and Taiwan, and face coverings are almost ubiquitous in Japan.
China remains a major boycott, adhering to a policy of “dynamic clearance” to eliminate emergencies as quickly as possible.It reported about 2,000 new confirmed cases on Wednesday.The latest outbreak is small by global standards, but the country has implemented rigorous testing, locked down hotspots and quarantined infected people in isolation facilities to prevent a surge that could strain its healthcare system.read more
Subscribe to our Sustainability Newsletter to learn about the latest ESG trends impacting companies and governments.
Reuters, the news and media arm of Thomson Reuters, is the world’s largest provider of multimedia news, serving billions of people around the world every day.Reuters delivers business, financial, national and international news through desktop terminals, world media organizations, industry events and direct to consumers.
Build your strongest arguments with authoritative content, attorney editorial expertise, and industry-defining techniques.
The most comprehensive solution to manage all of your complex and expanding tax and compliance needs.
Access unmatched financial data, news and content in a highly customized workflow experience on desktop, web and mobile.
Browse an unrivaled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from global sources and experts.
Screen high-risk individuals and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business and personal relationships.