Propose early to declare the end of the epidemic and relax immigration
According to the conclusion of the meeting on the afternoon of May 15, the Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Health to study and soon propose the announcement of the end of the epidemic and a strategy for preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic for the new phase. The Prime Minister also requested to continue to prevent the source of the disease from entering from outside; not to open international tourism; and at the same time, to promote domestic tourism.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall preside over and coordinate with relevant ministries to promote tourism, prepare necessary preparations to welcome international tourists when conditions permit, first of all from countries and territories that have controlled the epidemic well; study and propose the time and principles for gradually relaxing entry and exit, resuming some flight routes to restore trade, visit relatives, tourism, trade and investment on a bilateral basis.
As of the morning of May 16, Vietnam recorded one new case of Covid-19, a passenger returning from Russia, who was quarantined immediately upon entry, bringing the total number of cases to 314. Thus, Vietnam has also entered the 30th day without new cases due to community transmission.
Laos: Easing restrictions but not complacent
At a press conference on the afternoon of May 15, the Lao Ministry of Health said that the country only had 19 cases of infection, of which 14 had been cured. Although the Covid-19 prevention work in Laos has had many positive developments, given the complicated developments of the epidemic globally and in the region, the Lao Government will not be subjective to avoid a second wave of the epidemic as has happened in many countries.
Therefore, during the period from May 18 to June 1, in addition to easing some restrictions, the Government will continue to apply some preventive measures such as: ensuring a minimum distance of 1 meter when in contact with others, regularly washing hands, measuring body temperature, and implementing principles of ensuring epidemic hygiene.
The Lao government also allows offices and businesses to resume normal operations but encourages online working; allows the reopening of transportation activities nationwide, and allows people to travel between provinces. Foreigners in Laos who want to return home, Lao students and workers can leave the country but must strictly follow the measures required by the destination country.
Thailand passes phase 2 of lockdown easing
The Thai government approved the second phase of easing anti-epidemic lockdown measures from May 17 to support the economy, but only shortened the night curfew.
Among the businesses that will be allowed to reopen are shopping malls and restaurants in shopping malls, convention centers, wholesale markets and swimming pools. Shopping malls will have to close at 8 p.m. to give people enough time to get home before curfew.
Movie theaters, amusement parks, boxing arenas and gyms are still closed, while fitness centers will be allowed to resume some operations. Airports remain closed to commercial flights from abroad and restaurants are not allowed to serve alcohol on-site.
Indonesia announces new health control regulations
On May 15, the Indonesian Minister of Health announced new regulations on health control for Indonesian citizens returning from abroad and foreigners coming to Indonesia.
Accordingly, each person entering the country must carry a health certificate proving a negative PCR test result, which is valid for a maximum of 7 days. People entering the country at the airport or port must also undergo an additional health check, including a health interview, body temperature measurement, and testing via rapid or PCR test. After being tested, each Indonesian and foreigner will be issued a health certificate and a health alert card (HAC).
Iran records record number of new infections
On May 15, Iran announced that the country recorded 2,102 new cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the past 24 hours, the highest number of daily infections in the country since April.
The total number of Covid-19 patients in this country is currently 116,635 cases, the number of deaths is 6,902 cases.
Khuzestan province, in the southwest of the country, remains on red alert - the highest level on the scale warning of Covid-19 risks in Iran.
Uzbekistan extends social distancing measures
The Uzbekistan government has extended social distancing measures until June 1, but lifted some previous restrictions.
According to Uzbek officials, domestic air and rail routes will be partially reopened starting May 18. People will have to comply with all quarantine regulations, including limiting the number of passengers.
New York extends lockdown
The lockdown measures in New York City will be extended until June 13 under an executive order signed by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, but the order allows for the relaxation of movement restrictions and gives the green light for businesses to gradually reopen.
To date, the United States has recorded 87,025 deaths from Covid-19, out of a total of 1,460,902 infections. However, Thomas Perls, professor of medicine and geriatrics at Boston University School of Medicine, said that the total number of Covid-19 cases in the US could double, especially in New York, if deaths in nursing homes are included.
Spain quarantines incoming tourists
From May 15, people arriving in Spain from abroad must self-isolate for two weeks. In addition, Spanish authorities have extended existing restrictions on visitors entering Spain and restricted access to five airports and eight seaports until June 15.
The new restrictions on visitors come as the country recorded its lowest number of new Covid-19 deaths since May 11 in the past 24 hours. Spain recorded only 138 new deaths, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 27,459. Meanwhile, the total number of Covid-19 cases in Spain is currently 230,183.
Italy plans to allow people to travel freely
On May 15, Italy recorded 789 new cases, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 223,885. Meanwhile, the number of deaths increased to 31,610 (up 242 cases). There were 4,917 recoveries during the day, bringing the total number of recoveries to 120,205. The number of cases requiring intensive care continued to decrease to 808 (down 47 cases).
With positive signs maintained for many days, the Italian Government plans to allow free travel across the country from June 3.
Slovenia declares end of epidemic, opens borders
On May 15, Slovenia opened its borders after declaring the end of the Covid-19 epidemic. In the statement, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa stated that the epidemic situation in Slovenia is the best controlled in Europe, so the country can declare the end of the epidemic.
The country has now opened its borders to all European Union (EU) citizens, but non-EU citizens will have to quarantine. Some measures to control the epidemic will continue to be maintained, with the government still banning large gatherings, while people must still comply with social distancing measures and wear masks in public.
Shopping malls and hotels in Slovenia are set to reopen next week, while football matches will resume from May 23.
Czech Republic, Germany, Bulgaria ease lockdown
On May 15, the Czech Republic announced that it will allow events with up to 300 participants to be held later this month as the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections causing Covid-19 acute respiratory disease in the country is at the lowest level among European countries.
According to Health Minister Adam Vojtech, from May 25, events such as sports competitions will be allowed to take place but limited to 300 participants, and businesses such as restaurants and pubs will also be allowed to reopen. If the epidemic situation progresses favorably, the limit on participants for events will increase to 500 people on June 8 and up to 1,000 people on June 22.
However, restaurants and pubs will not be allowed to open after 11pm following a recent surge in infections in South Korea linked to a nightclub.
On May 15, Germany announced that it would relax quarantine regulations for people coming from the European Union (EU), the Schengen area and the UK.
According to the German Interior Ministry, authorities will only recommend that people coming from countries with a high number of Covid-19 cases go into quarantine. Meanwhile, the mandatory two-week quarantine requirement will still apply to people coming from non-EU countries.
On the same day, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said the country will allow shopping malls to reopen on May 18.
