Record high infections in the Netherlands, South Korea temporarily stops 'living with Covid-19'
Malaysia will reopen its borders to international tourists no later than January 1, 2022, while South Korea may not proceed to phase two of its Covid-19 coexistence plan.
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| Photo: EPA |
Malaysia opens its doors to international tourists
According to CNN news agency, the Malaysian Government advisory council said on November 11 that the country will open its doors to international visitors early next year while seeking to revive its ailing tourism industry.
In recent weeks, the Southeast Asian country has gradually reopened its economy as the rate ofCovid-19 infectionslowing amid a stepped-up vaccination program. Government statistics show that more than three-quarters of Malaysia's population has been vaccinated against Covid-19.
Former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who chairs a panel tasked with steering Malaysia’s economic recovery program, told reporters that the tourism industry is recovering too slowly without foreign visitors. He also noted that operators need time to recover their businesses.
South Korea will not continue its plan to live with Covid-19
South Korea's top public health official warned on November 11 that the country will not further ease Covid-19 restrictions amid a surge in infections, Yonhap news agency reported.
South Korea began easing Covid-19 restrictions in November as part of the first phase of its three-phase “living with Covid-19” plan. The country is scheduled to move to phase two in mid-December after a two-week review period.
Jeong Eun-kyeong, commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, said it may be difficult for the country to move to phase two if infections continue to rise. “If the current trend continues, we need to maintain the first phase or tighten virus restrictions.”
In the first phase of the plan, people will be allowed to gather in groups of up to 10, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated. Basic precautions such as wearing masks indoors will remain in effect.
Record high infections in the Netherlands, lockdown proposed
According to the Guardian, on November 11, the Netherlands recorded more than 16,000 Covid-19 cases within 24 hours. This is the highest number of infections in this country since the pandemic broke out.
The resurgence of infections has once again put pressure on hospitals and many health experts have called for a partial lockdown to combat Covid-19. Prime Minister Mark Rutte's cabinet is due to decide on the necessary measures today (November 12) as recommended by the outbreak management team. Some steps being considered include cancelling events, closing cinemas and theatres, forcing cafes and restaurants to close earlier but keeping schools open.
Update on Covid-19 situation in the world
According to the statistics page Worldometers, as of 5am on November 12, the world recorded a total of 252,592,070 Covid-19 cases, including 5,094,426 deaths. Over 228.5 million patients have recovered.
Russian authorities said on November 11 they are preparing new restrictions to reduce the number of infections that have surged in recent weeks. The coronavirus task force is drafting legislation to expand the QR code system to limit access to certain public places, including public transport, cafes and shops.
The system only allows people who have been vaccinated or recovered, and have tested negative for the coronavirus within 72 hours, to access the above places.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said that the number of Covid-19 deaths in Europe increased by 10% in the past week, making the region the only one in the world where cases and deaths from Covid-19 increased. This is the sixth consecutive week that the number of infections in Europe has increased.