Southeast Asia Covid-19 Tracker
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The following includes the previous week’s updates on government responses to the Covid-19 pandemic in Southeast Asia. For a PDF covering all prior government responses, click here.
Last updated December 3
National Responses to Covid-19 in Southeast Asia
BruneiPublic Health Response
- Brunei announced on November 23 that it would delay plans to move to a transitional phase of living with endemic Covid-19. This reversed its announcement on November 19 to reopen businesses and mosques to fully vaccinated individuals.
- On November 26, people aged 50 and older became eligible to receive a Covid-19 booster shot.
- On November 27, Brunei suspended travel from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe in an effort to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant.
- Brunei announced on November 29 that it will begin administering the Pfizer vaccine to children aged 5 to 11 in early 2022.
- On November 29, the Ministry of Health launched a clinical study in collaboration with the University of Brunei Darussalam Institute of Health Sciences, Duke-NUS Medical School of Singapore, and BruHealth app developer EVYD Technology to test the immunity offered by the Pfizer, Moderna, and Sinopharm vaccines.
- On November 30, Brunei designated 12 certified Covid-19 rapid testing centers to sell rapid tests costing $5 – 15.
- Brunei announced on December 1 that it would convene most of its 50 events for the annual Brunei December Festival online to limit the spread of Covid-19.
Economic Response
- No new updates.
Economic Projections
- No new updates.
Public Health Response
- On November 24, Cambodia imposed a travel ban on 10 countries in Africa in an effort to avert the spread of the Omicron Covid-19 variant. Included on the list are Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Angola, and Zambia.
- On November 28, Cambodia received over 188,000 Moderna doses from COVAX.
- The Cambodian government on November 30 permitted entertainment venues in Phnom Penh to reopen.
Economic Response
- No new updates.
Economic Projections
- In November, Fitch Solutions projected Cambodia’s GDP to grow by 2.5 percent in 2021. Economic growth is expected to rebound to 4.7 percent in 2022.
- The ASEAN Plus Three Macroeconomic Research Office in November 2021 projected that Cambodia’s economy would grow by 2.8 percent in 2021 in its Annual Consultation Report.
Public Health Response
- Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy on November 18 announced that Indonesia will impose level 3 community activity restrictions (PPKM) for all regions of the country during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
- Between November 20 and 22, Indonesia received three shipments of Covid-19 vaccine doses, including 3.4 million Pfizer vaccine doses donated by the United States through COVAX and 2.2 million directly purchased Pfizer vaccine doses.
- Indonesia on November 23 banned civil servants and workers in state-owned and private companies from taking leave around the Christmas and New Year holidays to prevent an outbreak of Covid-19. The government also announced that arts, cultural, and sports events are banned between December 24 and January 2.
- Indonesia on November 24 received 4.3 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine directly purchased from Shenzhen Kangtai Biological Products, AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine partner in China.
- Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian on November 24 issued a series of restrictions related to the Christmas and New Year holidays, including a ban on mudik (returning to one’s hometown during the holiday) and the imposition of strict health protocols at churches, malls, and tourist sites.
- On November 26, India donated 137,500 doses of the Covovax vaccine, the name under which the Novavax vaccine is produced by Serum Institute of India, to Indonesia through COVAX.
- Indonesia on November 29 banned the entry of travelers who have been in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Eswatini, or Nigeria in the past 14 days. The ban will be reevaluated every two weeks. The government also announced that Indonesian citizens returning from these countries will need to quarantine in designated facilities for 14 days, and extended the quarantine period for all travelers entering the country from three days to seven.
- Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian on November 29 increased Jakarta’s PPKM from level 1 to level 2.
- On November 30, Indonesia’s Ministry of Health announced it will begin vaccinating children aged 6 to 11 by early February 2022.
Economic Response
- No new updates.
Economic Projections
- No new updates.
Public Health Response
- On November 21, China delivered over 1 million donated Sinopharm doses to Laos.
- Laos on November 21 authorized the State Enterprise Pharmaceutical Factory No. 3 to manufacture the Covid-19 antiviral pill Molnupiravir starting in December.
- Laos on November 22 permitted vaccinations for children aged 12 to 17.
- On November 23, Laos authorized the use of the one-shot Russian Sputnik Light vaccine.
- China on November 25 dispatched 700,000 donated Sinopharm doses to Laos.
- Laos on November 26 approved booster shots for frontline medical workers.
- Cambodia on November 30 donated 500,000 Sinovac doses to Laos.
Economic Response
- No new updates.
Economic Projections
- No new updates.
Public Health Response
- Malaysia on November 19 issued conditional approval to use the Sinovac vaccine as booster shots.
- On November 23, Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah announced that China would donate 1 million Sinovac doses to Malaysia.
- On November 23, the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council launched a Covid-19 travel protection plan for foreign tourists that provides coverage for Covid-19.
- Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin on November 23 announced plans to vaccinate children under the age of 12 during or near the second quarter of 2022.
- The Ministry of Health on November 24 announced that all individuals over the age of 18 are eligible to receive Covid-19 booster shots and that the government will prioritize frontline workers, individuals with comorbidities, pregnant women, and those traveling abroad.
- Malaysia and Singapore on November 29 opened reciprocal land and air travel lanes for fully vaccinated individuals.
- The government on November 30 approved the use of Sinovac and AstraZeneca as booster doses.
- On November 30, the Ministry of Health announced that travelers and aircrew with recent travel histories to countries affected by the Omicron variant over the past 10 days must be tested.
- On November 30, Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein announced that Malaysia will pause its transition into the “endemic phase” of Covid-19 regulations and keep certain business and movement restrictions in place until more information on the Omicron variant becomes available.
- On December 1, Malaysia temporarily banned the entry of travelers from countries that have reported the Omicron Covid-19 variant or are considered high-risk.
Economic Response
- No new updates.
Economic Projections
- No new updates.
Public Health Response
- On November 16, Myanmar’s State Administrative Council (SAC) announced that the country would reopen land borders with China and Thailand by December and that it would resume international air travel by the end of the first quarter of 2022.
- On November 17, two individuals with knowledge of the matter revealed that the Biden administration plans to send millions of Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine doses to the border of Thailand and Myanmar in December through a special division of COVAX set up to provide vaccines to vulnerable communities in conflict-affected areas.
- On November 20, the junta-controlled Ministry of Health lifted a stay-at-home order in 13 towns.
- China delivered 2 million donated doses of Sinovac vaccines to the junta-controlled Ministry of Health on November 20 and 21.
- On November 25, the junta-controlled Ministry of Health lifted a stay-at-home order in 28 townships.
- On November 27, two Myanmar-China border crossings reopened for trade after a seven-month closure.
- On November 30, the junta-controlled Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced an extension of entry restrictions for travelers until the end of December. The issuance of all visas and visa exemptions services will also be suspended until December 31.
- State media reported on November 30 that SAC Health Minister Thet Khaing Win announced plans to vaccinate 50 percent of individuals over the age of 18 by the end of December.
Economic Response
- No new updates.
Economic Projections
- No new updates.
Public Health Response
- The Philippines received 600,000 directly purchased Moderna vaccine doses on November 23.
- Manila City received 40,000 directly purchased Molnupiravir pills on November 23.
- Quezon City announced on November 24 that 5,000 healthcare workers would receive booster shots by the end of the week.
- On November 26, the Philippines suspended travel from South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mozambique until December 15.
- The Philippines on November 28 suspended travel from Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, and Italy until December 15.
- The Philippines announced on November 28 that it signed a deal with Pfizer to purchase an additional 20 million Covid-19 vaccine shots, bringing the country’s total number of purchased Pfizer shots for 2021 and 2022 up to 60 million.
- On November 29, the Philippines announced its plans to begin vaccinating children aged 5 to 11 in January 2022.
- Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. announced on November 29 that the Philippines plans to expand vaccine booster shot access to all essential workers before December 10.
- On November 29, the Philippines initiated a three-day Covid-19 vaccination drive aiming to vaccinate 9 million people, a reduction from its November 23 goal of 15 million due to syringe shortages and logistical challenges. On December 1, the Philippines announced it had administered over 5 million vaccine doses and would extend the campaign until December 13.
- The Philippines announced on November 26 that fully vaccinated travelers arriving from “green” risk-level countries would not need to undergo Covid-19 testing and quarantine protocols starting November 28. However, it reversed its decision on November 29, announcing a temporary ban on all foreign travelers due to the Omicron variant.
- On November 30, the Philippines received a donation of 500,000 AstraZeneca vaccine doses from South Korea.
- On December 1, the Food and Drug Administration approved Covid-19 booster shots for those aged 18 and older.
Economic Response
- No new updates.
Economic Projections
- No new updates.
Public Health Response
- Australia on November 18 returned 500,000 Pfizer doses to Singapore as part of a reciprocal vaccine sharing agreement made in August.
- On November 20, Singapore expanded the maximum size of groups allowed to engage in social interactions from two to five individuals.
- On November 26, Singapore announced that it would extend its vaccinated travel lanes to Thailand, Cambodia, Fiji, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Turkey.
- Singapore on November 26 announced that it would restrict entry to travelers with recent travel history to Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
- On November 26, Singapore announced that it will issue Covid-19 health certificates compatible with the European Union’s Digital Covid Certificate system beginning on December 7.
- On November 29, Singapore will open reciprocal quarantine-free travel for fully vaccinated individuals from Indonesia, India, Finland, Sweden, and Malaysia.
- Malaysia and Singapore on November 29 opened reciprocal land and air travel lanes for fully vaccinated individuals.
- Singapore on November 30 announced that it would pause the relaxation of social measures and implement stricter rules for travelers entering Singapore.
Economic Response
- Starting November 22, the Singaporean government will reduce wage support to businesses hit by the pandemic from 25 percent down to 10 percent, halve monthly rental waiver for stallholders in certain hawker centers, and taper daily payouts to taxi and rideshare drivers over the next two months.
Economic Projections
- No new updates.
Public Health Response
- The Ministry of Education permitted Bangkok schools to resume offering on-site instruction on November 15. The ministry issued guidance limiting each classroom to 25 students.
- On November 16, the Thai cabinet approved a plan to reopen entertainment venues, pubs, bars, and karaoke parlors on January 16.
- Chulalongkorn University on November 20 announced it will begin production of its Covid-19 vaccine, named ChulaCov19, in the first quarter of 2022.
- On November 22, the Public Health Ministry said that authorities would begin identifying people who have not been vaccinated and consider banning them from activities that may spread the virus.
- On November 23, Thailand ordered 30 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
- On November 26, the government extended the emergency decree for the 15th time from December 1 to January 31. However, it lifted the nationwide curfew.
- On November 27, Thailand approved the use of rapid antigen testing for on-arrival screening in airports starting December 16.
- Thailand on November 28 banned arrivals from eight southern African countries beginning December 1, including Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
- The government announced the beginning of human trials for its four locally developed Covid-19 vaccines on November 29.
Economic Response
- On November 24, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said his cabinet will consider a program to allot $4.7 billion to farmers.
Economic Projections
- Thailand’s finance minister on November 20 said the country’s economy is expected to grow between 3.5 and 4.5 percent in 2022.
Public Health Response
- No new updates.
Economic Response
- No new updates.
Economic Projections
- No new updates.
Public Health Response
- Ho Chi Minh City on November 18 ordered bars, clubs, and karaoke parlors to close—just two days after allowing them to reopen.
- Hanoi on November 23 began vaccinating individuals aged 15 to 17.
- The United States on November 23 announced that it will donate 4 million Pfizer vaccine doses to Vietnam.
- Argentina on November 24 donated 500,000 AstraZeneca vaccine doses to Vietnam.
- Japan on November 25 donated 1.5 million AstraZeneca vaccine doses to Vietnam.
- Ho Chi Minh City on November 26 tightened restrictions on travel into the city, setting up checkpoints and mobilizing police forces to assist in tracking and tracing efforts.
- Vietnam on November 27 and 28 received 1.4 million Pfizer vaccine doses donated by France through COVAX.
- Hanoi and Da Nang on November 29 announced that individuals with mild cases of Covid-19 are allowed to undergo treatment at home.
- Hanoi on November 30 announced that high schools in districts and towns with low or medium Covid-19 risk will be allowed to reopen beginning December 6.
- Vietnam on December 1 indefinitely suspended third-phase human trials of its domestically-produced Covivac vaccine due to difficulties in finding volunteers.
- On December 1, Hanoi suspended the use of two batches of the Pfizer vaccine, totaling 3 million doses, that previously had their expiration date extended.
- Vietnam and Russia on December 1 agreed to expand production of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine in Vietnam.
Economic Response
- No new updates.
Economic Projections
- No new updates.
- China on November 22 pledged $5 million to ASEAN’s Covid-19 response fund and promised to donate 150 million vaccine doses to the organization.
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International Assistance to Southeast Asia
Assistance from China- China delivered 2 million donated doses of Sinovac vaccines to Myanmar's junta-controlled Ministry of Health on November 20 and 21.
- On November 21, China delivered over 1 million donated Sinopharm doses to Laos.
- The Chinese Ministry of National Defense on November 23 donated Covid-19 testing equipment and medicine to Cambodia.
- On November 23, Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah announced that China would donate 1 million Sinovac doses to Malaysia.
- China on November 25 dispatched 700,000 donated Sinopharm vaccine doses to Laos.
- On November 29, China donated medical supplies worth $460,000 to three provinces in Laos: Oudomxay, Phongsaly, and Luang Namtha.
Non-government Chinese aid:
- No new updates.
- Indonesia between November 20 and 22 received two shipments of Pfizer vaccine doses, totaling 3.4 million doses, donated by the United States through COVAX.
- The United States on November 23 announced that it will donate 4 million Pfizer vaccine doses to Vietnam.
- USAID on November 29 announced it would grant over $2 million to Laos to support its Covid-19 vaccination rollout.
Non-government U.S. aid:
- No new updates.
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- Japan on November 25 donated 1.5 million AstraZeneca vaccine doses to Vietnam.
- On November 30, the Philippines received a donation of 500,000 AstraZeneca vaccine doses from South Korea.
- Cambodia on November 30 donated two refrigerated vaccine transport vehicles, 500,000 Sinovac doses, and $13 million in direct aid to Laos, with $3 million coming from the government and $10 million from private companies.
- No new updates.
- No new updates.
- India on November 26 donated 137,500 doses of the Covovax vaccine, the name under which the Novavax vaccine is produced by Serum Institute of India, to Indonesia through COVAX.
- No new updates.
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- Vietnam on November 27 and 28 received 1.4 million Pfizer vaccine doses donated by France through COVAX.
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Non-government British aid
- No new updates.
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- Argentina on November 24 donated 500,000 AstraZeneca vaccine doses to Vietnam.
World Health Organization
- No new updates.
World Bank
- No new updates.
International Monetary Fund
- No new updates.
Asian Development Bank
- No new updates.
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
- No new updates.
United Nations
- No new updates.
COVAX
- On November 28, Cambodia received over 188,000 Moderna doses through COVAX.