Regulations, regulations and more regulations. Asian governments are fond of them, with the idea of reopening their countries to the outside world. And that's no problem if they're going in the right direction.
This is what is now happening in Southeast Asia. Singapore was the first country to decide to open up through "travel corridors". These are selected according to the country of origin. The Thailand has been reopened to all vaccinated visitors since 1 November, with minimal restrictions.
Now is the time Cambodia which is regaining the initiative in the region. With other countries likely to follow suit. This should enable the entire area to be reopened to international travellers in the near future..
Cambodia tried twice in October and November to open up to international travellers.. But the rules - a compulsory period varying from 3 to 7 then 5 days - were hardly an incentive. Just like the obligation to stay in designated areas around Sihanoukville. This extremely sinicised seaside resort, with its hotels, karaoke bars and casinos, is far from the holiday destination dreamed of by Europeans in search of exoticism.
So the Cambodian Prime Minister has decided to change the rule. The announcement was made on Sunday 14 November and came into force on Monday 15 November, the new rules allow fully vaccinated international visitors to stay throughout the country - without any quarantine requirements. Only two PCR tests are compulsory. The first is carried out 72 hours before departure for Cambodia. The second on arrival. If the second test proves negative, the traveller is free to travel as he wishes.
This political about-turn can be explained by a very high vaccination rate -88% of the population received two doses of vaccine - and a need to revitalise an economy dependent on tourism. The other explanation for this strategic change is the fact that Sihanoukville is not very attractive to international visitors. Except for Chinese tourists, who are currently banned from travelling anyway.
Malaysia by 1 January at the latest?
Another South-East Asian country to announce its forthcoming reopening: Malaysia. The Malaysia National Recovery Council has just suggest that the government reopen the country completely to foreign visitors by 1 January next year at the latest.
The closure of Malaysia's borders has cost the country some 21 billion dollars in lost tourism revenue. And it is seriously undermining the country's economic recovery, due to the absence of foreign visitors. As the Chairman of the Council is none other than the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Muhyiddin Yassin, there is a good chance that the government will follow these recommendations. Especially as 95% of Malaysia's adult population is now vaccinated. The details of this reopening have yet to be worked out.
This acceleration in South-East Asia should encourage other ASEAN member countries to follow suit.. The Philippines are beginning to talk about a possible reopening at the end of the year.
For its part, the Vietnam reopens five provinces to vaccinated travellers from 20 November. Without quarantine. The conditions are still restrictive, as you have to book a hotel stay, tests and a tour in advance. But Ho Chi Minh City could also become "open territory" for foreign visitors in December. The government is counting on second quarter of 2022 for the full opening up of the country.
As for theIndonesiaFor the time being, it seems to want visitors only to Bali and the Riau Islands, opposite Singapore. Even though the constraints have been eased, they are still a deterrent. A five-day quarantine is hardly an incentive for vaccinated travellers to try their luck!
