Quick takes

Hong Kong spirals into panic mode

As Hong Kong faces new daily highs in Omicron infections, Chief Executive Carrie Lam has requested that hotel operators provide up to 10,000 rooms to serve as isolation facilities. With experts anticipating up to 5,000 new daily cases by mid-March and hospitals already at capacity, these spaces will be vital to continue the city’s “dynamic zero-COVID” policy.

Other markets in Asia move to fully reopen

As of 14th February, India will remove mandatory quarantines and negative pre-arrival COVID PCR tests for international travellers. Instead, travellers will only need to present a completed vaccination certificate. By 30th April, Vietnam will require a vaccination certificate issued 14 days before entry, a negative PCR test issued within 72 hours prior to entry and at least US$50,000 of travel insurance in COVID treatment coverage. Taiwan will be lowering its compulsory two-week on-arrival quarantine period to only 10 days by mid-March.

Constellar appoints M&A Director

MICE venue and events group Constellar Holdings has announced that Luke Han will take on the newly created position of Director of Group Mergers & Acquisitions. He will play an integral role in driving Constellar’s acquisition and growth strategy and bolstering the group’s status within Asia.