The end of the Tokyo Olympics, which was held a year after it was originally planned due to the coronavirus, is still fresh in our mind, but the coronavirus continued to spread and infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and regions.

What are the latest developments in Asian countries?

Not only the tourism industry, but all kinds of economic activities are restricted, but this time let's take a look at the data on COVID-19 vaccination and movement restrictions in Asian countries. The information is current as of August 12, 2021.

Data on vaccinations is based on Our World in Data
(https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations) (12 Aug. 2021).

Korea: The introduction of a travel bubble is expected to restore the economy

Number of vaccinations received: 28.1 million
Required number of vaccinations completed (all shots taken): 7.89 million
Percentage of required vaccinations completed (all shots taken): 15.3%

South Korea has announced that the exemption of the two-week quarantine upon entry for those who have completed the vaccination will also apply to those who have been vaccinated overseas from July 1.   

On June 29, South Korea agreed with Saipan to introduce a "travel bubble". This program allows tourists to enjoy traveling freely if they take a PCR test on the day of arrival and the negative result is confirmed, and is expected to help the tourism industry to recover.

China: Travel restrictions are imposed due to the spread of infection

Number of vaccinations received: 1.78 billion
Required number of vaccinations completed (all shots taken): 223 million
Percentage of required vaccinations completed (all shots taken): no data

In China, community acquired infections have been on a rise since July. COVID-19 infections have been seen in 17 provinces and autonomous regions so far, and 108 new cases were reported nationwide on September 9.   

Since the movement of people is thought to be the cause of infection, notifications have been issued in various places not to leave the local area for non-essential or non-urgent reasons. 

Taiwan: Level of movement restriction is relaxed and is extended until August

Number of vaccinations received: 9.23 million
Required number of vaccinations completed (all shots taken): 519,000
Percentage of required vaccinations completed (all shots taken): 2.2%

In Taiwan, the alert level was set to the second highest level, Level 3, from May 13 to July 26, but it has been announced that they would relax the alert level to Level 2 from July 27 and would maintain it until August 23.

Hong Kong: Mandatory isolation period is conditionally reduced

Number of vaccinations received: 6.25 million
Required number of vaccinations completed (all shots taken): 2.72 million
Percentage of required vaccinations completed (all shots taken): 36.2%

On June 22, Hong Kong announced that the mandatory quarantine period after the immigration would be reduced from the current 14 or 21 days to seven days if people meet the condition that they have completed all the required vaccinations or they have tested negative.

Singapore: Virus infected number decreases, and deregulation starts

Number of vaccinations received: 8.1 million
Required number of vaccinations completed (all shots taken): 3.86 million
Percentage of required vaccinations completed (all shots taken): 67.7%

Singapore had introduced strict restrictions in late July, including a ban on eating out, in response to the spread of the infectious delta virus, but announced that they would lift the ban on eating out from August 10. This is a mitigation measure given that vaccinated people are expected to reach about 70% of the population.

Malaysia: Four-step mitigation plan "National Recovery Plan" is announced

Number of vaccinations received: 25 million
Required number of vaccinations completed (all shots taken): 9.05 million
Percentage of required vaccinations completed (all shots taken): 28.3%

On June 15, Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin announced the National Restoration Plan, which will ease restrictions on economic and social activities in four stages.

Vietnam: Infection surges, international flight suspension is strengthened

Number of vaccinations received: 9.99 million
Required number of vaccinations completed (all shots taken): 1 million
Percentage of required vaccinations completed (all shots taken): 1.0%

In Vietnam, where the number of people infected with COVID-19 has increased rapidly, measures are in place, such as expanding the suspension of international flights from May 31, tightening movement restriction in Ho Chi Minh City, and encouraging private-sector vaccine procurement.

Thailand: Phuket started the acceptance without quarantine from July 1

Number of vaccinations received: 19.6 million
Required number of vaccinations completed (all shots taken): 4.28 million
Percentage of required vaccinations completed (all shots taken): 6.1%

The Thai government will launch a "Phuket Sandbox" on July 1, which will accept foreign tourists within Phuket prefecture without quarantine as a tourism redevelopment. The subject must be vaccinated and will be required to submit various certificates.

Philippines: COVID-19 regulations are tightened, will be extended until August 20

Number of vaccinations received: 25 million
Required number of vaccinations completed (all shots taken): 11.6 million
Percentage of required vaccinations completed (all shots taken): 10.7%

In the Philippines, the strictest restrictions on Metro Manila were lifted in April and had been gradually relaxed since then, but the strictest movement and action restrictions began again on August 6 and are expected to continue until August 20.

Summary

Although attempts have been made to start accepting without isolation in South Korea and Thailand, it seems like movement restrictions are being strengthened in other countries.