Filenews 17 September 2021
About 18 months after the outbreak of the pandemic, some countries decided to lift the restrictive measures and adopt a new model of "living together" with the coronavirus.
Some have enviable vaccination rates, but others have decided that the model of tough restrictions and lockdowns is not economically viable.
CNN presents the example of five countries and their strategies.
Denmark
Denmark is one of the first countries in the European Union to have removed all restrictions.
The decision came as a result of the high vaccination rate, as over 80% of people over the age of 12 in the Nordic country have been fully vaccinated, with the government saying it no longer considers Covid-19 a "socially critical" disease.
Danish citizens can visit clubs, restaurants, gyms and hairdressers without showing a digital pass, use public transport without masks, and there are no restrictions on gatherings.
"Vaccines and the efforts of all citizens for a long time are the foundation because of which we are doing so well," said the country's health minister, Magnus Hoyneke, but warned that the epidemic is not over and the government will not hesitate to "act quickly if the pandemic threatens society again."
Singapore
Singapore's government announced in June that it plans to move ahead with a "living with Covid" strategy, trying to control outbreaks by vaccinations and closely monitoring hospitalization rates instead of restricting the lives of citizens.
"The bad news is that Covid-19 may never disappear. The good news is that it is possible to live normally with the coronavirus among us," Singapore's top health officials said.
Authorities began easing some restrictions in August, allowing the fully vaccinated to dine in restaurants and gather in groups of five people.
But the increase in cases caused by the highly infectious Delta mutation is putting pressure on this strategy, leading officials to stop the reopening. Authorities warned last week that they may need to reposition Covid-19 restrictions if the new outbreak is not contained.
Singapore reported on Tuesday the highest number of Covid-19 cases per day, over a year. So far, the number of people seriously ill remains low thanks to vaccination, authorities said. Singapore pursued an aggressive "zero Covid strategy" before changing its approach and has one of the highest Covid-19 vaccination rates in the world, with 81% of the population fully vaccinated.
Thailand
Within the next month, Thailand plans to open Bangkok and other popular destinations as the country tries to bring momentum to the tourism industry, even though the number of cases is on the rise.
According to the plan, tourists who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus and if they pass the necessary tests, will be allowed to visit the capital, as well as areas such as Pattaya and Hua Hin.
Phuket opened on July 1 without restrictions for vaccinated tourists.
The country was able to limit transmission last year due to tough restrictions, but this year the numbers are rising. Vaccination rates are at low levels compared to neighbouring countries, with only 18% of the general population fully vaccinated and 21% partially vaccinated.
South Africa
South Africa has begun to relax several covid-19 restrictions as infection rates decline in the country.
Among other measures, the national night curfew has been reduced from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m., the size of allowed gatherings has increased to 250 people indoors and 500 outdoors, and restrictions on alcohol sales have been further reduced.
The easing of restrictions, announced by the President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday, is notable in a country that has gone through much of the pandemic with extremely strict social distancing rules, such as banning gatherings other than funerals. However, vaccination rates remain low.
Ramaphosa warned that the pernicious third wave of infections caused by the more contagious Delta mutation is not over, but added that the country now has enough doses of vaccine to cover the entire adult population, with more than a quarter of adults receiving at least one dose.
He further encouraged all citizens to be vaccinated and comply with the rest of the restrictions to allow the country to return to normal. "The third wave is not yet over and only with our actions individually and collectively will we be able to reduce the number of new infections," he stressed.
Chile
Chile has become an example to follow in terms of the successful vaccination campaign. According to recent data from the country's health ministry, 87% of citizens who can be vaccinated have done so.
The country has already begun administering booster doses to the fully vaccinated. Authorities also lit the green light to start vaccinations of children over the age of six from next Monday.
Despite the threat of the Delta mutation, the government has announced that the border will open to foreign tourists from October 1, whenever the Winter Season of the Southern Hemisphere begins. Foreign tourists will be able to enter the country if they meet certain conditions and are quarantined for five days after their arrival.
"The opening of the borders for foreign tourists is an important step in restarting the tourism industry," said senior tourism ministry officials.
