Happy New Year.

We enter 2022 in a similar place as the previous year as we wait and see regarding the full impact of the Omicron variant.  Overall, countries are extending existing tight border restrictions.  With the exception of Australia, most countries in Asia have not yet experienced outbreaks like South Africa, USA, UK and Europe.  Yet, cases are rising and most if not all locations have reported Omicron’s presence.

Hong Kong banned flight and transit from eight countries from 8 – 21 of January including Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, Philippines, UK, US while Macau suspended all passenger flights originating outside mainland China. Philippines, Japan and Myanmar all extended travel bans and Singapore temporarily suspended ticket sales for VTL flights.

Singapore, often the harbinger of things to come, will require applicants for long-term and work passes as well as renewals to be fully-vaccinated.  Full vaccination will soon also require a booster.

Still, we remain optimistic about the Year of the Tiger as is evident from the annual message from Relo Network Asia CEO, Steve Burson.

You can download a copy of this report here.