Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2022

Reactions and measures in South, East and Southeast Asia

1 April

• The Malaysia–Singapore border reopened to travel by private transport without the need for testing and isolation. Travellers will still have to be vaccinated while unvaccinated children under the age of 12 years and below will have to be accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult.

27 April

• The Malaysian Government has announced that it will ease restrictions on unvaccinated individuals entering public spaces from 1 May 2022. In addition, the Government eliminated pre-flight and on-arrival testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers and those who have just recovered from COVID-19. While mask requirements for outdoor settings were lifted, they remain mandatory for indoor activities and public transport.

Reactions and measures in the Western Pacific

13 April

• New Zealand's COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced that the country would shift to the "orange setting" of New Zealand's COVID-19 Protection Framework from 11:59 pm. Capacity limits for public gatherings were eliminated while facemasks will no longer be compulsory for schools and certain public gatherings and events.