Asian Sky Quarterly 2020Q4

INTERVIEW: UNIVERSAL AVIATION
INTERVIEW: UNIVERSAL AVIATION
YVONNE CHAN, REGIONAL DIRECTOR - APAC
What is the current situation across Asia?
While Asian and Australasian countries have had more success in
containing the COVID-19 pandemic, some countries are experiencing
further small outbreaks recently so things are slowing down again.
China has tightened restrictions after seeing sporadic cases in several
cities recently. Shijiazhuang, Dalian, and Shenyang entered ‘wartime’
mode in December 2020 and many cities have tightened quarantine
rules for both overseas and domestic travelers from medium and highrisk
areas of China. Business flights from overseas may be possible,
but you need a very good reason for entry, and special approval by the
State Council.
Japan has opened business corridors to some countries including
Mainland China. No quarantine is required for travelers from China,
however, a 14-day quarantine (or more) is still required upon arrival
back in Mainland China.
In Taiwan, many social activities are still allowed, but CECC began imposing
entry restrictions and quarantine measures for non-R.O.C. nationals
starting 01 JAN 2021 and tightened quarantine measures for
travellers coming into Taiwan starting 15 JAN, 2021
Singapore has managed to control the numbers with very small cases
in the community. It has recently announced that all travellers must
undergo PCR testing on arrival. This now includes Singapore citizens
and permanent residents.
Australia is in a very good position now although the State of New
South Wales has recently had a small outbreak, which appears to be
linked back to a foreign crewmember. Residents of Sydney Metro are
required to wear masks when visiting any indoor venue. Business is
back to normal for the rest of the country, and 14 days of mandatory
quarantine after arrival into Australia is still required for all passengers
and crew.
South Korea and Philippines have extended their restrictions until the
end of January, while no endpoint for the ban has yet been provided by
the governments of Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong.
While other countries struggle or tighten restrictions, Maldives, Cambodia,
and Vietnam have either already lightened or plan to ease restrictions.
The Border of Maldives has been open since 15th July 2020 with no
restrictions to any nationalities. Cambodia’s border also remains open
despite a few new cases found recently originating from a Cambodia
citizen who was traveling back from Thailand. The border of Vietnam
has not yet opened but the good news is that it has been 44 days
20 | ASIAN SKY QUARTERLY — FOURTH QUARTER 2020