The #ArrivalRevival is happening around the world, with Portugal scrapping many of its remaining COVID-19 restrictions and Nepal now welcoming tourists who have been fully vaccinated. However, over in Singapore it’s a different story, with the country’s daily infections hitting a new high.
Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa said on Thursday almost all COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted, allowing full occupancy in restaurants and cultural venues from October 1.
“As most of the restrictions imposed by law disappear, we are going to enter a phase that is based on the responsibility of everyone,” Costa told a news conference.
“We must not forget that the pandemic is not over,” he said.
Among the few measures that remain in place, mask-wearing is compulsory in public transport, at large events, in nursing homes, hospitals, shopping malls and hypermarkets.
Masks ceased being compulsory outdoors last week.
As Portugal has now fully vaccinated more than 8.5 million people, or 83.4 per cent of its population, nightclubs and bars will be allowed to reopen after having been shut since March 2020, Costa said.
However, customers will have to show a digital vaccination certificate or a negative COVID-19 test.
Digital certificates or negative tests will no longer be mandatory in hotels and gyms but will still be required for air or sea travel or to attend major cultural or sporting events, Costa said.
After suffering in January what was then the world’s worst surge of infections, Portugal ramped up its vaccination campaign over the summer and now leads the world in terms of the percentage of fully vaccinated population, according to the ourworldindata.org publication.
Nepal on Thursday removed its mandatory quarantine requirement and resumed issuing on-arrival visas for foreign travellers provided they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
“We have approved removing the quarantine requirement for all vaccinated travellers arriving in Nepal from all international destinations and updated the travel procedures effective from Thursday, September 23,” Taranath Adhikari, spokesperson for the Tourism Ministry, told EFE.
Visitors are required to have received their last dose at least 14 days prior to entering Nepal to be eligible for on-arrival visas.
Those not vaccinated or partially vaccinated need to get their entry permits from the Nepali diplomatic missions and also go through a 10-day quarantine in government-listed hotels.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s health ministry on Thursday reported 1504 new virus cases – the highest since the beginning of the pandemic.
A recent rise in cases after the relaxation of some coronavirus measures has prompted Singapore to pause further reopening.
More than 80 per cent of its population has been vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Source: AAP