Japan marks record Covid deaths, Hong Kong, Taiwan's new rules: 8 points
2 years ago

Japan marks record Covid deaths, Hong Kong, Taiwan's new rules: 8 points

Hindustan Times  

Japan on Wednesday recorded 415 Covid deaths, the highest-ever count for a single day, health ministry data showed. Covid In Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan: A resident wears a mask as he stands near the shadow of a tree. Hong Kong said that it will end some of its last major Covid rules, scrapping limits on public gatherings. There will be no cap on public gatherings, and the city’s vaccine pass will also be scrapped, starting from Thursday, Hong Kong chief executive John Lee. Hong Kong will also no longer require arrivals to undertake PCR tests, though they’ll be recommended to do rapid tests for five days, and close contacts of Covid-positive people won’t need to quarantine.

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History of this topic

Japan to lift COVID-19 border controls before holiday week
1 year, 8 months ago

Japan to lift COVID-19 border controls before holiday week

Associated Press  

TOKYO — Japan will lift most of its coronavirus border controls, including a requirement that entrants show proof of three vaccinations or a pre-departure negative test, beginning Saturday as the country’s Golden Week holiday season begins and a large influx of foreign tourists is expected. All entrants with symptoms will still be required to take COVID-19 tests after arriving until …

Hong Kong to lift COVID-19 mask mandate on Wednesday
1 year, 10 months ago

Hong Kong to lift COVID-19 mask mandate on Wednesday

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Hong Kong will lift its mask mandate on Wednesday, ending the city’s last major restriction imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The city’s chief executive, John Lee, said masks will no longer be required both outdoors and indoors, including on public transit, but some high-risk areas including hospitals and elderly homes can still require their use. “In order …

This city had world's longest Covid mask mandate. Now scrapped after 1,000 days
1 year, 10 months ago

This city had world's longest Covid mask mandate. Now scrapped after 1,000 days

Hindustan Times  

Hongkongers will finally be able to leave home without a face mask from Wednesday, nearly 1,000 days after the pandemic mandate was imposed. Pedestrians wearing protective Covid mask Hong Kong was one of the last places on Earth to enforce mask-wearing outside, with violators facing hefty fines. "Making it illegal not to wear one is frankly anachronistic by now," University …

World’s longest Covid-19 mask mandate: This city is scrapping it after 945 days
1 year, 10 months ago

World’s longest Covid-19 mask mandate: This city is scrapping it after 945 days

Live Mint  

Hong Kong will lift its mask mandate from 1 March 2023, ending the city's last major restriction imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The city's Chief Executive John Lee said the requirement will end outdoors and indoors, including public transit, but some high-risk premises including hospitals and elderly homes can still require people to wear masks. Next month will see Hong …

Hong Kong will lift its mask mandate Wednesday, its last major COVID restriction
1 year, 10 months ago

Hong Kong will lift its mask mandate Wednesday, its last major COVID restriction

LA Times  

Hong Kong will lift its mask mandate Wednesday, ending the city’s last major restriction imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. “In order to give people a very clear message that Hong Kong is resuming normalcy, I think this is the right time to make the decision,” he said. He said the return to greater normality would be beneficial to Hong Kong’s …

China to fully resume travel with Hong Kong, Macau on February 6
1 year, 11 months ago

China to fully resume travel with Hong Kong, Macau on February 6

Hindustan Times  

China said on Friday that cross border travel between the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau would fully resume from Feb. 6, dropping existing quotas and scrapping a mandatory COVID-19 test that was required before travelling. Group tours between China and its two special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau would resume, while the number of customs checkpoints open will …

Explained: Why Asian nations aren't ditching the mask just yet
1 year, 11 months ago

Explained: Why Asian nations aren't ditching the mask just yet

Firstpost  

South Korea dropped indoor masking on Monday. “Without a mask on, they feel something is missing.” The dangers of air pollution are sharply felt in South Korea, where masks are a common line of defence on days when fine dust particles form a gray haze in the sky. “People have taken comfort in their faces being concealed, and they feel …

Japan to drop mask guidance, relax Covid strategy
1 year, 11 months ago

Japan to drop mask guidance, relax Covid strategy

Firstpost  

Tokyo: Japan’s government will drop its recommendation to wear masks indoors and downgrade its medical classification for Covid-19, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Friday. “We will take further steps towards ’life with corona’ and make steady progress on returning to normality in homes, schools, workplaces, neighbourhoods and all facets of life.” Masks are ubiquitous in public places and are commonly …

As schools are set to resume face-to-face classes in Hong Kong, mainland Chinese students face adjustment problems
1 year, 11 months ago

As schools are set to resume face-to-face classes in Hong Kong, mainland Chinese students face adjustment problems

Firstpost  

Parents and teachers have called for a range of support services for children who may face adjustment problems New Delhi: Thousands of children who live in mainland China and attend Hong Kong schools will return to their campuses for the first time in three years, parents and teachers of students said. According to a report in the South China Morning …

Hong Kong to scrap isolation rule for new COVID-19 cases
1 year, 11 months ago

Hong Kong to scrap isolation rule for new COVID-19 cases

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Hong Kong will scrap its mandatory isolation rule for people infected with COVID-19 starting Jan. 30 as part of its strategy to return the semi-autonomous Chinese city to normalcy, the city’s leader said Thursday. For most of the pandemic over the last three years, Hong Kong has aligned itself with mainland China’s “zero COVID” strategy, requiring those …

Hong Kong to scrap isolation rule for new COVID-19 cases
1 year, 11 months ago

Hong Kong to scrap isolation rule for new COVID-19 cases

Firstpost  

For most of the pandemic, Hong Kong has aligned itself with China’s zero-COVID strategy, requiring those who tested positive to undergo quarantine. Many residents once had to be sent to hospitals or government-run quarantine facilities even when their symptoms were mild Hong Kong: Hong Kong will scrap its mandatory isolation rule for people infected with COVID-19 from 30 January as …

Chinese travellers head to Hong Kong for mRNA Covid vaccines: Report
1 year, 11 months ago

Chinese travellers head to Hong Kong for mRNA Covid vaccines: Report

Hindustan Times  

Scores of mainland Chinese travellers are rushing to Hong Kong to receive mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, which are not available on the Chinese mainland, as the country grapples with a torrent of infections which have overwhelmed its health system. Chinese travellers head to Hong Kong for mRNA Covid vaccines: Report A private hospital in the special Chinese administrative region of Hong …

Hong Kong may shift Covid’s status from ‘pandemic’ to ‘endemic’: What it means
1 year, 11 months ago

Hong Kong may shift Covid’s status from ‘pandemic’ to ‘endemic’: What it means

Hindustan Times  

The Hong Kong government is in talks with top pandemic advisers to declare Covid-19 an 'endemic' disease, leading to ease absolute Covid curbs including isolation norms for infected patients. Hong Kong in lockstep with China, shared a similar plan a day after Macau announced the virus as endemic and relaxed most of the Covid norms. John Lee Ka-Chiu, Chief Executive …

China has reopened its borders to tourists after three years of COVID-19 closure
2 years ago

China has reopened its borders to tourists after three years of COVID-19 closure

NPR  

China has reopened its borders to tourists after three years of COVID-19 closure Enlarge this image toggle caption Bertha Wang/AP Bertha Wang/AP After years of separation from his wife in mainland China, Hong Kong resident Cheung Seng-bun made sure to be among the first in line following the reopening Sunday of border crossing points. Those crossing between Hong Kong and …

China seeks to minimise possibility of major COVID-19 outbreak during travel rush
2 years ago

China seeks to minimise possibility of major COVID-19 outbreak during travel rush

Firstpost  

China abruptly ended a strict regime of lockdowns, quarantines and mass testing in December amid growing concerns about the economic impact and rare public protests in a country that permits no open political dissent Beijing: China is seeking to minimize the possibility of a major new COVID-19 outbreak during this month’s Lunar New Year travel rush following the end of …

Covid data transparent, insists China as nations impose more travel curbs
2 years ago

Covid data transparent, insists China as nations impose more travel curbs

India Today  

When China, a country of 1.4 billion people, suddenly decided to end zero-Covid policy three years into the pandemic, there was an explosion in number of fresh cases. READ | China may become breeding ground for new Covid variants as cases spike: Experts This created a Covid scare forcing countries to begin testing of fliers from China and elsewhere. Covid …

Japan eases COVID curbs on flights from Hong Kong after backlash
2 years ago

Japan eases COVID curbs on flights from Hong Kong after backlash

Al Jazeera  

Hong Kong travellers will be able to fly into three more Japanese airports than previously as measures eased. Japan has partially eased COVID-19 restrictions limiting flights from Hong Kong to a handful of designated airports following protests by the Chinese territory’s government. Japan, a popular destination for Hong Kong residents, will now allow travellers from the financial hub to fly …

Hong Kong scraps almost all remaining covid barriers for visitors
2 years ago

Hong Kong scraps almost all remaining covid barriers for visitors

Live Mint  

Asia’s financial hub will end social distancing, obligatory vaccine proof and almost all testing requirements for visitors, joining Beijing in accelerating moves to open up after three years of Covid-19 controls hit both economies. Hong Kong’s latest rollback came two weeks after authorities canceled the rule barring visitors from restaurants, bars and other venues for their first three days in …

Hong Kong Scraps Vaccine Pass, COVID-19 Tests for Travellers
2 years ago

Hong Kong Scraps Vaccine Pass, COVID-19 Tests for Travellers

News 18  

Hong Kong will scrap some of its COVID-19 restrictions, including PCR tests for inbound travellers and vaccination requirements to enter certain venues, the city’s leader said on Wednesday. For most of the pandemic, Hong Kong has aligned itself with China’s “zero-COVID” strategy, requiring stringent COVID-19 tests and isolation for close contacts of infected cases as well as for incoming travellers. …

Hong Kong scraps vaccine pass, COVID-19 tests for travelers
2 years ago

Hong Kong scraps vaccine pass, COVID-19 tests for travelers

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Hong Kong will scrap some of its COVID-19 restrictions, including PCR tests for inbound travelers and vaccination requirements to enter certain venues, the city’s leader said Wednesday. For most of the pandemic, Hong Kong has aligned itself with China’s “zero-COVID” strategy, requiring stringent COVID-19 tests and isolation for close contacts of infected cases as well as for …

Covid News: China Returnee 6-year-old Girl, Her Mother Test Coronavirus Positive in Tamil Nadu's Madurai
2 years ago

Covid News: China Returnee 6-year-old Girl, Her Mother Test Coronavirus Positive in Tamil Nadu's Madurai

News 18  

Covid News Updates: Several hospitals across the country on Tuesday held mock drills to check the preparedness of health facilities to deal with any spurt in Covid-19 cases. Today mock drills are conducted across Covid hospitals in the country to make sure people get proper treatment,” Mandaviya said after reviewing the mock drill at the Delhi hospital. Deputy Chief Minister …

Japan to require COVID-19 tests for all visitors from China
2 years ago

Japan to require COVID-19 tests for all visitors from China

Associated Press  

TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced Tuesday that Japan will tighten border controls for COVID-19 by requiring tests for all visitors from China starting Friday as a temporary emergency measure against the surging infections there. “We have decided to take a temporary special measure to respond to the situation.” Despite widespread outbreaks that are straining medical resources and …

China’s stretched health system braces for peak in COVID-19 infections
2 years ago

China’s stretched health system braces for peak in COVID-19 infections

The Hindu  

Nearly 37 million people in China may have been infected with COVID-19 on a single day this week, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing estimates from the government’s top health authority. China is expecting a peak in COVID-19 infections within a week, a health official said, with authorities predicting extra strain on the country's health system even as they downplay …

‘A very, very hard road ahead’: COVID cases spiral in China as restrictions ease
2 years ago

‘A very, very hard road ahead’: COVID cases spiral in China as restrictions ease

LA Times  

Nearly three years after it was first identified in China, the coronavirus is now spreading through the vast country. Nearly 11,000 people died of the illness this year in the city of 7.4 million, with 95% of them older than 60, according to Hong Kong’s department of health. A study conducted in Hong Kong, which has administered both an mRNA …

China limits how it defines COVID deaths in official count
2 years ago

China limits how it defines COVID deaths in official count

Associated Press  

ZHUOZHOU, China — China only counts deaths from pneumonia or respiratory failure in its official COVID-19 death toll, a Chinese health official said, a narrow definition that limits the number of deaths being reported as the virus surges following the easing of pandemic-related restrictions. Multiple people told the AP then that their elderly family members who tested positive for COVID-19 …

China says no new Covid deaths, but crematoriums ‘overwhelmed’ | Top points
2 years ago

China says no new Covid deaths, but crematoriums ‘overwhelmed’ | Top points

Hindustan Times  

While reports and social media posts claim that hospitals in China are struggling, pharmacy shelves have been stripped bare and many crematoriums are overwhelmed, China on Wednesday said “no one had died of Covid-19 the previous day”, after changing the criteria such that most virus deaths are no longer counted. Patients recover at a hospital in Zhuozhou city in northern …

China limits how it defines COVID-19 deaths in official count
2 years ago

China limits how it defines COVID-19 deaths in official count

The Hindu  

China only counts deaths from pneumonia or respiratory failure in its official COVID-19 death toll, a Chinese health official said, in a narrow definition that limits the number of deaths reported, as an outbreak of the virus surges following the easing of pandemic-related restrictions. On 21 December, China reported no new COVID-19 deaths and in fact subtracted one death from …

Taiwanese, Koreans and Hong Kongers can finally travel home. But others are out of luck
2 years ago

Taiwanese, Koreans and Hong Kongers can finally travel home. But others are out of luck

LA Times  

Connie Su, a dental hygienist working in Newport Beach, plans to return to Taiwan on Dec. 27 after being separated from her family since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s scary” to be so out of reach of loved ones, said Grace Yoon of Fullerton, who will arrive in Seoul before Christmas to spend three weeks with her parents …

China vows to drop some travel tracking in COVID rule easing
2 years ago

China vows to drop some travel tracking in COVID rule easing

Associated Press  

BEIJING — China said it would stop tracking some travel, potentially reducing the likelihood people will be forced into quarantine for visiting COVID-19 hot spots, as part of an uncertain exit from the strict pandemic policies that helped fuel widespread protests. The move follows the government’s dramatic announcement last week that it was ending many of the strictest measures, following …

China seeing ‘rapid spread’ of COVID-19, wave could last three months
2 years ago

China seeing ‘rapid spread’ of COVID-19, wave could last three months

The Hindu  

China’s current wave of COVID-19 cases, following the recent easing of pandemic restrictions, is seeing a “rapid surge” and the country can expect to see a return to normalcy only after the spring of next year, top epidemiologist and government advisor Zhong Nanshan told State media. Following Wednesday’s easing of pandemic restrictions, including a stop to mass testing, lockdowns and …

China grapples with a rash of coronavirus infections after easing its strict controls
2 years, 1 month ago

China grapples with a rash of coronavirus infections after easing its strict controls

LA Times  

A rash of COVID-19 cases in schools and businesses was reported by social media users Friday across China after the ruling Communist Party loosened anti-virus rules as it tries to reverse a deepening economic slump. “There’s very few people coming in because there’s so many cases,” said Gang Xueping, a waitress in a Beijing restaurant. Half of the company’s people …

Covid is weakening, China state media claims, as major cities ease curbs
2 years, 1 month ago

Covid is weakening, China state media claims, as major cities ease curbs

Hindustan Times  

Coronavirus is weakening and management protocols could be downgraded, an expert on China’s state media claimed, after unprecedented protests last week led to a major shift in Beijing’s commitment to its zero-Covid policy, Guardian reported. Since January 2020, China has classified Covid-19 as a Category B infectious disease but has managed it under Category A protocols. An unnamed infectious disease …

China unleashes fresh Covid lockdowns after highest number of cases reported since start of pandemic
2 years, 1 month ago

China unleashes fresh Covid lockdowns after highest number of cases reported since start of pandemic

The Independent  

China is reimposing strict lockdown measures, including mass testing and quarantines, in multiple cities after it registered a record number of Covid-19 cases. China’s national health commission on Friday reported 32,695 new Covid cases, the highest figure since the outbreak of the coronavirus was suspected in Wuhan in late 2019. Residents were ordered to stay at home and carry out …

Hong Kong leader John Lee tests positive for COVID-19 on return from Asia-Pacific summit
2 years, 1 month ago

Hong Kong leader John Lee tests positive for COVID-19 on return from Asia-Pacific summit

Firstpost  

Lee visited Bangkok last week to attend a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, with his office saying he tested negative on rapid antigen tests for all four days he was there Hong Kong, China: Hong Kong leader John Lee tested positive for Covid-19 on his return from an Asia-Pacific summit, the city’s government said Monday, days after he …

DC Edit | Don’t give up masks altogether
2 years, 1 month ago

DC Edit | Don’t give up masks altogether

Deccan Chronicle  

The notification of the civil aviation ministry on Wednesday relaxing the rules on wearing masks on flights and in airports marks an important milestone in the nearly three-year-long fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. The world has been on edge ever since a cluster of cases of pneumonia was reported in Wuhan in China’s Hubei province on December 31, 2019. The …

Hong Kong to end quarantine after outcry from firms, residents
2 years, 3 months ago

Hong Kong to end quarantine after outcry from firms, residents

Al Jazeera  

Move to lift travel restriction comes amid fears the former British colony is losing its competitive edge. Travellers to the city currently must undergo three days of hotel quarantine followed by four days of medical surveillance, during which they are restricted from entering certain venues including bars and restaurants. Hong Kong, which has been caught between mainland China’s ultra-strict “zero-COVID” …

Hong Kong extends vaccine passes to kids as young as five
2 years, 4 months ago

Hong Kong extends vaccine passes to kids as young as five

Hindustan Times  

Hong Kong will include children aged five and above in its COVID-19 vaccine pass scheme from the end of September, the government said on Thursday, as authorities try to boost inoculation levels there. From Sept 30, children aged 5 to 11 will be required to have one vaccine shot, and two doses by Nov 30, the government said, adding that …

Malaysia scraps indoor face mask rule as Covid-19 wave eases
2 years, 4 months ago

Malaysia scraps indoor face mask rule as Covid-19 wave eases

Hindustan Times  

Malaysia is scrapping its rule requiring masks indoors, effective immediately, ending the last of its significant Covid-era restrictions. Malaysia scraps indoor face mask rule as Covid-19 wave eases Masks will still be mandatory for people who test positive for the disease as well as in places such as public transport and health-care facilities, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said in a …

Hong Kong lifts flight ban citing ‘little effect’ on COVID
2 years, 6 months ago

Hong Kong lifts flight ban citing ‘little effect’ on COVID

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Hong Kong announced Thursday it is shelving a COVID-19 measure that has resulted in dozens of canceled flights in recent months and thwarted travel plans for thousands. “The new measure is a decision made by the government after careful review of relevant data and taking into account the current peak period for international students returning to Hong …

Hong Kong eases some Covid-19 testing requirements for inbound travel
2 years, 7 months ago

Hong Kong eases some Covid-19 testing requirements for inbound travel

Hindustan Times  

Hong Kong will relax some Covid-19 testing requirements for incoming passengers as the city takes small steps toward easing travel restrictions. Hong Kong eases some Covid-19 testing requirements for inbound travel While travellers still need a nucleic acid test within 48 hours of the scheduled departure of their flight to the financial hub, they will no longer have to give …

HK gets boost in fighting outbreak as central govt offers needed beds
2 years, 8 months ago

HK gets boost in fighting outbreak as central govt offers needed beds

China Daily  

Citizens wearing face masks line up for nucleic acid test at a testing site in South China's Hong Kong, April 14, 2022. The first phase of the hospital was handed over to Hong Kong on April 7, offering 500 beds in negative pressure wards－including 32 intensive care unit beds, and two operating theaters. Wang Hong, chairman of China Construction Science …

COVID-19 | Hong Kong reopens beaches; Beijing relaxes quarantine rules
2 years, 8 months ago

COVID-19 | Hong Kong reopens beaches; Beijing relaxes quarantine rules

The Hindu  

Hong Kong on May 5 reopened beaches and pools in a relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions, while China's capital Beijing began easing quarantine rules for arrivals from overseas. Hong Kong had closed water sports venues amid an outbreak of the highly transmissible omicron variant but has been tailing off restrictions as new case numbers fall. All residents are required to undergo …

Taiwan faces largest COVID-19 outbreak yet
2 years, 8 months ago

Taiwan faces largest COVID-19 outbreak yet

Associated Press  

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan, which had been living mostly free of COVID-19, is now facing its worst outbreak since the beginning of the pandemic with over 11,000 new cases reported Thursday. In April, the island’s central authorities announced that they would no longer maintain a “zero-COVID” policy like the Chinese government’s in which they would centrally quarantine positive cases. Chin …

Taiwan faces its worst COVID outbreak with more than 11,000 new cases
2 years, 8 months ago

Taiwan faces its worst COVID outbreak with more than 11,000 new cases

LA Times  

Domestically, mask-wearing is universal both outdoors and indoors in Taiwan. Taiwan, which had been living mostly free of COVID-19, is facing its worst outbreak since the beginning of the pandemic with over 11,000 new cases reported Thursday. In April, the island’s central authorities announced that they would no longer maintain a “zero-COVID” policy like the Chinese government’s in which they …

Hong Kong Disney opens as COVID eases; Shanghai deaths rise
2 years, 8 months ago

Hong Kong Disney opens as COVID eases; Shanghai deaths rise

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Hong Kong relaxed pandemic restrictions …

COVID-19: Death toll in Shanghai rises to 17; cases begin to fall
2 years, 8 months ago

COVID-19: Death toll in Shanghai rises to 17; cases begin to fall

The Hindu  

China’s business hub Shanghai has reported seven more fatalities due to COVID-19, taking the death toll to 17 amidst signs of a declining trend in fresh cases, the health commission said on April 20. The Chinese mainland on Tuesday reported 2,753 COVID-19 cases, of which 2,494 were in Shanghai, according to the National Health Commission’s report. Apart from Shanghai, 14 …

China: Shanghai reports first Covid-19 deaths since the start current outbreak
2 years, 8 months ago

China: Shanghai reports first Covid-19 deaths since the start current outbreak

Live Mint  

Shanghai reported the first deaths of its surging Covid-19 outbreak, the biggest flareup China has had to deal with during the pandemic. They were the first Covid fatalities in more than a year in China, where a strict zero tolerance approach contained the virus until the more infectious delta and omicron variants emerged last year. Now with the country grappling …

Making Travel Plans? Drop These Countries From Your List To Have A Covid-19 Safe Trip
2 years, 9 months ago

Making Travel Plans? Drop These Countries From Your List To Have A Covid-19 Safe Trip

News 18  

Summers are here and many people are packing their bags to travel to exquisite locations. WHO said on Saturday that “early-day estimates indicate a community growth rate advantage of 10 percent as compared to BA.2.” The first case of XE variant was detected on January 19, reports Britain’s health agency, adding that over 63 cases of this variant have been …

Hong Kong urges testing, Shanghai struggles under lockdown
2 years, 9 months ago

Hong Kong urges testing, Shanghai struggles under lockdown

The Hindu  

Hong Kong authorities on Saturday asked the entire population of more than 7.4 million people to voluntarily test themselves for COVID-19 at home for three days in a row starting next week. The announcement by Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Saturday came as the southern Chinese city is struggling to contain a fifth wave of infections that has led to …

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