- A number of countries have decided it’s time to open up and adopt the living with Covid model across the world.
More than 18 months into the coronavirus pandemic, several countries have determined that it is time to open up and adopt a global “living with Covid” approach, reports CNN.
Some have enviable vaccination rates; others have decided that the costs of continued economic and social restrictions outweigh the benefits. Here are five nations to watch closely for how their new strategies play out.
Denmark
The Danish government lifted all remaining coronavirus restrictions in the country, saying Covid-19 was no longer “an illness which is a critical threat to society.”
Danes can now enter nightclubs and restaurants without showing a “Covid passport,” use public transport without wearing a face covering and meet in large numbers without restrictions — essentially returning to pre-pandemic life. The transmission rate, or R-rate, currently stands at 0.7, meaning that the epidemic is continuing to decline. If it’s above 1.0, Covid-19 cases will increase in the near future. If it’s below 1.0, cases will decrease in the near future.
Singapore
In June, Singapore’s government declared that it would adopt a “living with Covid” strategy, in which the government would try to manage outbreaks using vaccines and monitor hospitalizations rather than restricting individuals’ lives. In August, authorities began to relax certain restrictions, allowing fully vaccinated individuals to dine in restaurants and congregate in groups of five, up from two previously. However, an increase in infections caused by the highly contagious Delta variety has put that plan to the test, prompting officials to postpone any further reopening. Last week, officials warned that if the latest outbreak was not contained, they could have to reimpose Covid-19 restrictions.
Thailand
Thailand aims to reopen Bangkok and other famous tourist locations to foreign visitors next month, according to officials, as the Southeast Asian country attempts to recover its vital tourism economy amid soaring infection rates.
Tourists who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and agree to a testing regimen will be able to enter the capital, Hua Hin, Pattaya, and Chiang Mai under the expanded programme, according to Reuters. Although it kept infection numbers low in 2020 thanks to successful containment measures, Thailand has struggled to keep cases in check this year.
South Africa has started to ease several Covid-19 restrictions as infection rates decrease in the country. The easing of restrictions, announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, are notable in a country that passed much of the pandemic with extremely strict social distancing rules, even banning all gatherings except for funerals, at times — and where vaccination rates remain low. Ramaphosa warned that a devastating third wave of infections driven by the more transmissible Delta variant was not over, but added that the country now has enough vaccine doses to cover the entire adult population, with more than a quarter of adults receiving at least one dose.
Chile
Chile has been internationally praised for its smooth and successful vaccination campaign. According to the health ministry’s latest reports, almost 87% of eligible Chileans are fully vaccinated. The country has already started distributing booster shots to those who are fully vaccinated. Health authorities on Thursday approved the use of the Chinese vaccine Sinovac for children aged six and over; inoculations. Foreign non-residents will be able to enter provided they meet certain requirements and isolate for five days on arrival.
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Source: CNN
