As Asian countries are learning to live with the coronavirus — with the notable exception of China — and gaining momentum in their vaccination campaigns, several are cautiously reopening their borders and welcoming travelers. Although the Asia-Pacific region initially lagged in vaccinations and many countries remained committed to some of the world’s toughest restrictions for much of the year, the region’s vaccination rates have been catching up. Yet while some Asian nations vaccinated the majority of their populations months ago, they are only now reopening to international travel — just before the winter holidays. Singapore, after more than 20 months of tight border restrictions, began loosening its international travel regulations last month. The city-state has fully vaccinated nearly 92 percent of its population, the highest rate in the world, according to Our World in Data.

Source: International New York Times November 21, 2021 17:23 UTC