After two years of hermetic border closures, theAsia finally seems to want to speed up its reopening to the rest of the world. Less restrictive entry regimes are already being applied in the Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Maldives, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
Malaysia for everyone
Yesterday, it was Malaysia's turn. The country's Prime Minister, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, finally gave the go-ahead to the reopening of the country's borders to international travellers. From 1 April, travellers fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will be able to enter the country without quarantine, said the Prime Minister. Visitors will only have to undergo a PCR test before departure and on arrival (antigenic under professional supervision). This test must be carried out 24 hours after arrival. They will also have to download the MySejahtera and complete a travel form before departure.
Currently, visitors can only enter Malaysia via the Singapore travel bubble and Langkawi for fully vaccinated people. The Prime Minister explained that the reopening of the borders was part of a transition towards a status of endemic" phase of the virus. Malaysia has kept its borders closed since March 2020.
The existential anguish of the Japanese faced with the Covid virus has until now resulted in a virtual ban on all foreign travellers. In Asia, only China has done worse, closing its borders completely.
Japan for businessmen
Since 1 March, Japan has authorised all visas for vaccinated international travellers. Except for tourists. The business and professional travellers Both short- and long-term visitors are welcome. The country has simplified formalities as much as possible: the Certificate of Eligibility, a prerequisite for obtaining a visa, is abolished. A single site centralises applications. This avoids the need to apply to 7 different ministries for authorisation, as was required during the previous attempt to open the site. Quarantine for fully vaccinated French citizens - three doses - abolished. For travellers from "unsafe" countries, the quarantine period is three days with a negative PCR.
Is Japan expecting a rush of foreign businessmen? Not sure, because a quota of foreign entries remains 7,000 people from 14 March, compared with 5,000 at present. This quota is likely to be increased in April. And that the decision to fully reopen the country is taken during the summer.
More discreet in the media, there is also Taiwan. Since Monday 7 March, the country has authorised the entry of vaccinated business travellers. But this is only a half measure. There are still a mandatory 10-day quarantine - instead of 14 days previously. Admittedly, this is a slight improvement in entry conditions. But it may not be enough to attract travellers.
