covid19

  • Covid-19 NewsNew Zealand announces 5 step border reopening plan, starting this month

    New Zealand announces 5 step border reopening plan, starting this month

    New Zealand is slowly starting to ease restrictions and gradually reopen borders. The country announced a five-step plan for loosening some of the world’s most restrictive Covid-19 measures, starting with allowing citizens in Australia, who have been fully vaccinated, to travel back home at the end of the month. Vaccinated travellers will be free to enter on March 13, according…

  • World NewsBali to reopen fully vaccinated travellers starting tomorrow, quarantine required

    Bali to reopen fully vaccinated travellers starting tomorrow, quarantine required

    The island of Bali is reopening to fully vaccinated visitors from all countries starting tomorrow. Travellers who are vaccinated against Covid-19 must quarantine for five to seven days, according to Senior Minister Luhut Pandjaitan. The popular tourist destination in Indonesia had initially reopened in mid-October, but only to those travelling from certain countries, including China, New Zealand, and Japan. And even though…

  • World NewsUS CDC issues Level 4: Very High Risk travel advisory for the Philippines

    US CDC issues Level 4: Very High Risk travel advisory for the Philippines

    Although the Philippines is set to reopen its doors to fully vaccinated international visitors this month, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention of the US is advising its citizens not to travel to the Southeast Asian country due to a “very high level” of Covid-19 infections. The CDC released a statement that those planning to go to the Philippines…

  • World NewsSpike in Covid clusters at Malaysia schools, many parents still concerned with vaccinating children

    Spike in Covid clusters at Malaysia schools, many parents still concerned with vaccinating children

    Covid-19 is on the rise at a number of schools in Malaysia following their reopenings and fingers are pointing at teachers and staff for not following and enforcing disease prevention rules like wearing a mask. The country’s health minister even says teachers with coronavirus symptoms are still coming to class. The cluster outbreaks at schools come just as the government is…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand reports 9 cases of new Omicron BA.2 subvariant

    Thailand reports 9 cases of new Omicron BA.2 subvariant

    Thailand has detected the nine cases of the new Omicron subvariant BA.2, which is spreading across the globe with at least 40 countries reporting infections involving the mutated strain. The infections in Thailand involve both Thais and travellers from overseas. Through the laboratory procedure of whole-genome sequencing, Thailand’s Department of Medical Sciences and participating laboratories detected the BA.2 infections. The…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya mayor says there will be no festivals, fireworks for Chinese New Year

    Pattaya mayor says there will be no festivals, fireworks for Chinese New Year

    There will be no parades, carnivals, festivals, fireworks, or other events that draw large crowds during the February 1 Chinese New Year ceremony in Pattaya, according to the mayor Sonthaya Khunplume. While the major festivities won’t be happening this year, the city will still be decorated to celebrate the Year of the Tiger. Religious events will still be able to…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya bar raided by police at 5am, some test positive for illicit drugs

    Pattaya bar raided by police at 5am, some test positive for illicit drugs

    The pub manager, guests, and staff members of a bar in Pattaya were arrested at around 5am over the weekend for violating Covid-19 measures that require restaurants to stop serving alcohol by 9pm. Nationwide, entertainment venues – which have faced closure orders since April – have been able to apply to open temporarily as restaurants. But bars and other unapproved…

  • World NewsMalaysia resumes Vaccinated Travel Lane ticket sales for air, land travel to Singapore

    Malaysia resumes Vaccinated Travel Lane ticket sales for air, land travel to Singapore

    Malaysia’s health ministry announced today that ticket sales for air and land travel under a Vaccinated Travel Lane programme (VTL) with Singapore, which had been cancelled until yesterday due to Omicron concerns, have resumed. Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that the resumption of VTL follows a risk assessment of the current Covid-19 situation in both countries. However, ticket sales will…

  • Travel GuidesHotel trends to watch in 2022- Check-in like a VIP

    Hotel trends to watch in 2022- Check-in like a VIP

    If you are wondering what could be in store for hotels in 2022, this guide is for you. The twist and turns of changing restrictions have affected the hospitality industry to a great extent. The good news is that the hotels will be trying their very best to make you happy in this pandemic. Hotels have been incorporating new trends…

  • World NewsNew Zealand closes its borders to arrivals over fear of Omicron outbreak

    New Zealand closes its borders to arrivals over fear of Omicron outbreak

    New Zealanders are currently unable to return home as the Covid-19 response minister Chris Hipkins orders a temporary halt to the only route back to the country due to the fully occupied numbers of managed isolation and quarantine, or MIQ, as demands soar following the threat posed by the Omicron strain yesterday. Although the ban would be temporary, no date…

  • World NewsMalaysia allows two new airlines to operate as industry still reels from Covid-19

    Malaysia allows two new airlines to operate as industry still reels from Covid-19

    The civil aviation regulator of Malaysia has allowed the entry of two new airlines despite the fact that the industry has been reeling from the catastrophic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic for more than two years. According to the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom), the newly founded ultra-low-cost carrier MYAirline is about to begin its operations soon as it has been…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok field hospitals fill with patients, Prayut urges Thais not to let their guard down

    Bangkok field hospitals fill with patients, Prayut urges Thais not to let their guard down

    PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is urging Thais to not lower their guard when it comes to Covid-19, especially the new variant Omicron, and follow the universal measurements strictly, according to a government spokesperson. The reminder came after 2,611 new patients flocked to field hospitals in Bangkok over the weekend. Government Spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana says the prime minister expressed his concern about…

  • Pattaya NewsPolice raid art gallery opened as nightclub, 100 partygoers reportedly fled from police

    Police raid art gallery opened as nightclub, 100 partygoers reportedly fled from police

    In another police raid in Pattaya, more than 100 people reportedly fled a party held at a local art gallery at 10:30pm last night, past the 9pm cutoff time for alcohol sales at restaurants. The Pattaya News says partygoers were jumping fences and climbing out windows to flee from police at the Ma Ha Na Cafe and Art Gallery in…

  • World NewsIndonesia kicks off booster shot campaign as Omicron cases rise

    Indonesia kicks off booster shot campaign as Omicron cases rise

    The fourth-most-populous country in the world, Indonesia, has started administering Covid-19 booster shots to the public as its infection rates soar, with most of the cases owing to the Omicron variant, which is the highest number in nearly three months. President Joko Widodo of Indonesia stated Tuesday that all those who are qualified for the booster shot will receive free…

  • World NewsPhilippines sets “no vaccine, no ride” policy for Manila public transportation

    Philippines sets “no vaccine, no ride” policy for Manila public transportation

    If you’re in the Philippines, you’ll need to show your vaccination certificate to use public transportation in the country’s capital Manila. The Southeast Asian country’s new “no vaccine, no ride” policy prohibits those who are unvaccinated against Covid-19 from riding public transportation in Manila starting next week. The controversial restriction was enacted after a fresh wave of Cvoid-19 cases skyrocketed…

  • World NewsMalaysia waives quarantine for vaccinated travellers recently infected with Covid-19

    Malaysia waives quarantine for vaccinated travellers recently infected with Covid-19

    Malaysia has waived quarantine for fully vaccinated travellers with a history of previous Covid-19 infection starting today. Visitors must present proof that they are fully vaccinated as well as documents showing that they recently contracted Covid-19 and have recovered, according to Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin. Along with proof of vaccination, those who have previously been admitted to a hospital for…

  • Pattaya NewsRoyal Thai Navy reopens its three hospitals in response to Covid spike

    Royal Thai Navy reopens its three hospitals in response to Covid spike

    The Royal Thai Navy reopened three of its field hospitals, including two in Chon Buri, that can house 1,109 patients following the recent influx of new Covid-19 cases, according to Navy Chief Admiral Somprasong Nilsamai on Monday. Today, Chon Buri ranks as the province with the highest number of new Covid-19 infections. Under the provincial public health offices in command,…

  • Pattaya News12 Pattaya restaurant owners, managers arrested for breaching 9pm cutoff for booze

    12 Pattaya restaurant owners, managers arrested for breaching 9pm cutoff for booze

    A dozen of owners and managers of Pattaya’s bars-turned-restaurants were arrested for allegedly serving alcohol past the 9pm cutoff time. Some bars reportedly lowered their shutters to make it appear like the venue was closed, but continued to serve booze to customers inside. Some turned off the lights and music at 9pm, but stayed open, serving alcohol discretely with disposable…

  • World NewsVietnam gives green light to US billion stimulus plan for economic recovery

    Vietnam gives green light to US$15 billion stimulus plan for economic recovery

    The parliament of Vietnam has approved a stimulus package worth 347 trillion VND (US$ 15.3 billion) for those severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, especially businesses as well as expanding infrastructure expenditure amidst harsh lockdowns. Since the government is seeking sustainable growth, that ensures macroeconomic stability as concerns about inflation raised alarm over the National Assembly last month. Officials are…

  • World NewsNearly 30,000 Covid-19 cases reported in the Philippines in a single day

    Nearly 30,000 Covid-19 cases reported in the Philippines in a single day

    The Philippines reported 28,007 new Covid-19 cases in a single day, three times bigger than Thailand’s number yesterday, reaching over 3 million in total since the pandemic began in March 2020. A total of 52,511 patients have died so far. The Southeast Asian country’s hope to end the pandemic is now long gone, despite its vaccine efforts, following the uptick…

  • World NewsLaos reports first case of Omicron strain, traveller from overseas

    Laos reports first case of Omicron strain, traveller from overseas

    Laos reported its first Omicron case yesterday involving a woman who travelled from overseas. The woman’s family member, who was travelling with her, also tested positive for Covid-19, but the Omicron strain was not detected, according to the National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control. Both travellers are fully vaccinated. Before landing in the capital of Laos, Vientiane the…

  • World NewsFrance detects new Covid variant “IHU,” believed to be highly transmissible

    France detects new Covid variant “IHU,” believed to be highly transmissible

    While the world is grappling with new spikes in Covid-19 cases due to the Omicron variant, scientists in France have discovered another variant. The newly-discovered variant, called B.1.640.2, was found in 12 patients near Marseille and features 46 mutations, making it vaccine-resistant and contagious. Also known as “IHU,” the strain was detected by scholars at the IHU Mediterranee Infection on…

  • Thailand NewsNorwegian man in Thailand guilty for scamming Norway’s Covid-19 compensation scheme

    Norwegian man in Thailand guilty for scamming Norway’s Covid-19 compensation scheme

    A Norwegian man living in Thailand was found guilty by the Oslo District Court for scamming the Norwegian government’s Economic Covid-19 Compensation scheme by claiming lost revenue for fake companies. The court sentenced the man to three years and nine months in jail. Reports to do not identify the man, but say he is in his 50s carried out the scam…

  • World NewsLaos adds 14 more countries to its Travel Green Zone entry scheme

    Laos adds 14 more countries to its Travel Green Zone entry scheme

    Laos officially reopened to international tourists on January 1, and now the country has added another 14 countries to the Travel Green Zone scheme today, which allows fully vaccinated travellers to visit Laos with just a 24 hour quarantine at their hotel upon arrival. The initial list of countries approved for the Travel Green Zone scheme… China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand,…

  • World NewsMalaysia lifts travel ban on eight African countries

    Malaysia lifts travel ban on eight African countries

    Malaysia lifted its travel ban on eight South African countries that were among the first to identify the Omicron strain of the coronavirus, citing its global spread. The move follows Singapore, which recently lifted its travel ban on 10 African countries. Health minister Khairy Jamaluddin told reporters yesterday that officials would rush booster vaccines as Omicron is spreading very fast,…

  • World NewsVietnam resumes five international flight destinations including the US

    Vietnam resumes five international flight destinations including the US

    Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Administration has approved the resumption of five international flights among nine to Cambodia, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, and the US starting from January 1, following the agreements with authorities to implement the government’s plan earlier this month. Vietnam Airlines, with four flights per week to Cambodia, will be the first international flight on January 5, with Vietjet Air…

  • World NewsTyphoon Rai death toll raises to almost 400, 83 still missing in the Philippines

    Typhoon Rai death toll raises to almost 400, 83 still missing in the Philippines

    Following the destruction caused by Super Typhoon Rai in the Philippines last week, the death toll has risen to 397 and 83 are still missing, according to the official figure released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council today. Almost 561,500 people have been displaced and 1,147 individuals injured as rescuers from the ground, adding that over half…

  • World NewsVietnam reports first case of Omicron

    Vietnam reports first case of Omicron

    Vietnam’s first Omicron infection was reported by the country’s Health Ministry today, adding that the person had travelled from the UK to Hanoi and is now quarantined at the 108 Military Hospital. The patient arrived in Hanoi on December 19 and was tested for the virus the next day. Her result came back positive for Omicron, or B.1.1.529 variation, according…

  • World NewsSingapore lifts travel ban for 10 African countries

    Singapore lifts travel ban for 10 African countries

    Singapore eased restrictions for 10 African countries which were initially considered to be high risk for the Omicron variant and travellers from those nations, or who have been to those countries 14 days before travelling can now enter or transit through the Republic. Botswana, Eswatini, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe are now classified by the…

  • Bangkok News50 emergency operations centres in Bangkok being set up for New Year’s

    50 emergency operations centres in Bangkok being set up for New Year’s

    Emergency operations centres are being set up in 50 districts of Bangkok to prevent Covid-19 from spreading during countdown events and celebrations. The centres will screen people for Covid-19 and immediately isolate those who are infected, Permanent Secretary Kajit Chatchavanich told the media yesterday. District offices will keep a tight eye on New Year’s celebrations and events. Restaurants and other approved…