‘Border controls, quarantine, lockdowns and track-and-trace systems were put into place early on’
Many of us haven’t set foot on a plane in well over a year – and we’ve become far too comfortable conducting Zoom meetings at home in our pyjamas. But with vaccination programmes starting to roll out, alongside initiatives such as travel bubbles and vaccine passports, could it soon be time to dig out our carry-ons?
LOCKED DOWN
Asia-Pacific nations handled the initial Covid-19 outbreak more effectively than Western counterparts. Fast responses by governments saw border controls, quarantine procedures, lockdowns and track-and-trace systems put into place early on, with preventative measures, such as masks and social distancing policies, implemented widely in local communities.
The hard-line strategy proved successful, with lower case numbers across most of Asia. But it also effectively cancelled travel, with conservative policies creating prohibitive restrictions for the travel industry and travellers alike.
The emergence of more virulent strains, coupled with a slower vaccine rollout
