Hanoi (VNA) – As vaccination drives are being stepped up, Southeast Asian nations are gradually loosening anti-pandemicmeasures, including resuming tourism activities.
Speaking to the press on September 21, Malaysian Minister ofTourism, Arts and Culture Nancy Shukri said Genting Highlands, Pulau Tioman and Melaka will join the travel bubble list and reopen to tourists from October 1. Otherdestinations are also lining up for the list.
Earlier on September 16, Langkawi became the firstdestination to welcome back visitors after a long time of lockdown.
Meanwhile, Singapore and the Philippines also adjustedpolicies to revive domestic tourism.
Indonesia also considered reopening Bali island andother destinations from October, focusing on arrivals from the Republic ofKorea, Japan, Singapore and New Zealand first. When 70 percent of itspopulation receive the first shots, the country will welcome foreign visitorsagain.
Thailand, for its part, announced a plan to serve foreigntourists to Bangkok, Chiang Mai and tourist areas in Pattaya, Cha-Am and HuaHin from October 1./.
SEA countries gradually reopen schools
Schools in several states in Malaysia are set to reopen from October 3, but only 50 percent of students will be present at school.