As Asian nations open up, where is travel allowed – and how can I do so safely?

Vaccinated travellers have the chance to once again explore the region, as well as Europe and the United States

Here are the experts’ views on how to make sure you’re best protected, and what to be mindful of at all times

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A tourist on a boat on the southern Thai island of Koh Phi Phi in 2019. Photo: AFP

Published: 12:00pm, 16 Oct 2021Updated: 9:10pm, 17 Oct 2021

Asian nations are slowly opening up their borders, giving vaccinated travellers the chance to again explore the region, Europe and the United States. But should one travel? If so, where to, and is it safe? This Week in Asia answers some of your basic pandemic travel questions.

Is it really safe to go? What are the factors I should consider?

A few countries in Asia – including popular travel destinations such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore – have opened up to travellers in the hopes of reviving their tourism industries.

Experts say besides travellers themselves being fully-vaccinated, they should also assess if they are comfortable with the vaccination rate and health safety measures in the destination country.

Singapore has fully vaccinated 83 per cent of its 5.5 million population. Thailand’s national vaccination rate is about 35 per cent, but the tourist island of Phuket has vaccinated seven in 10 of its residents. While Indonesia’s vaccination rate is about 29 per cent, the resort island of Bali has vaccinated more than 80 per cent of its 4.4 million population.