Advice for UK Education Institutions on Covid-19 impact in East Asia 

Summary 

At the British Council, the health and safety of all our visitors, staff and the communities in which we operate is our top priority. We support and cooperate with all local government agencies to put all necessary measures in place to ensure the continued well-being of all with whom we engage in the course of our operations.    

This post is to keep UK institutions updated on disruptions across the East Asia region caused by the Covid-19 outbreak.  

For travel advice, please refer to FCO updates, and we would encourage institutions who are considering travelling to sign up for alerts - https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We also strongly encourage visiting local government health websites to stay abreast of the prevailing health advisory and precautionary measures in any country.  

For IELTS test arrangements as a result of Novel Coronavirus precautions, please see: https://www.ielts.org/news/2020/changes-to-ielts-test-arrangements-in-some-locations-due-to-novel-coronavirus.  

We are monitoring the situation very closely and will continue to provide updates as the situation develops. Please find current information by country/territory as per below:  

Key Updates 

China: China continues to roll out Covid-19 vaccine for university students. 

Hong Kong: All schools and private education institutions are permitted resume face-to-face classes with two-third of student capacity on a half-day basis after Easter holidays.

Malaysia: 98.7% of all schools nationwide, including kindergartens, are operating normally now. Starting with special and health teachers, vaccinations for teachers and staff at school will begin on April 8.

 

China 

Updated 9 April

China continues to roll out Covid-19 vaccine for university students  

Almost all Chinese schools and universities have reopened for in-person study for local students, but border restrictions mean that overseas students are still unable to re-enter the country.  

Many Chinese universities have launched vaccination campaigns to support the accelerated national immunisation campaign which targets to inoculate 40 percent of the population by June. On 3 April China's Ministry of Education issued a notice to ask local education departments and universities to proactively cooperate with local health departments on vaccination work, including making reasonable plans for voluntary and free-of-charge on-campus inoculations. They also asked local education authorities and universities to promote the vaccination programme, publicising the positive role of vaccines in protecting personal health and controlling the epidemic along with other scientific information on vaccination. 

Since late March the vaccination programme has been extended to foreign citizens on a voluntary basis, including an initiative to promote vaccination at Chinese universities for overseas students who have been staying in China since last year. 

Comment by British Council International Education Services      

Successful vaccination of students is likely to be a key factor in determining when China begins to reopen its university campuses to international students not already in the country. But at this stage there has been no indication of when this might be. 

Sources:  

1. https://news.eol.cn/yaowen/202104/t20210403_2092780.shtml  

2. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-04/04/c_139857124.htm  

3. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202104/08/WS606e5a3aa31024ad0bab41fd.html  

Contact: IES.China@britishcouncil.org.cn

 

Hong Kong  

Updated 12 April

n response to the drop in cases, the government has introduced a partial easing of some of the current restrictions, including reopening of swimming pools, beaches and playgrounds and resuming church services. Group gatherings of a maximum of four people and mandatory mask wearing still remain in force, as do some other restrictions. This suggests that face-to-face student recruitment activities in HK remain unfeasible. The city’s massive vaccination programme has been rolled out since late February.

Local Schools

The Education Bureau (EDB) announced that all schools and private education institutions are permitted resume face-to-face classes with two-third of student capacity on a half-day basis after Easter holidays. 

Source: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/4/168255/EDB-to-allow-up-to-two-thirds-of-a-school's-students-to-resume-face-to-face-classes-after-Easter   

HKDSE Exam 2021

Hong Kong government has announced a decision to postpone next year’s Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) examinations by one month. The written exams will be taking place between 23 April and 17 May 2021. The results are scheduled to be published on 21 July. 

Oral tests for both English and Chinese language exams will be cancelled in order to minimise the risk of person-to-person infection. Other new changes such as school-based assessments for nine elective subjects (e.g. Chinese and English Literature, History) will be dropped and five subjects that have been streamlined.  

A contingency plan was also revealed by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) should the situation worsen around the time of the new exam dates. If this were to happen, the exam dates would move to early June, with results being released on 31 August.  

In addition, according to the latest registration report of HKDSE 2021, the number of student candidates dropped by 4.22% compared to the 2020 cohort. However, it is noteworthy that there is a 2% of increase in numbers of private candidates. Local news indicated that this may be resulted by learning disruptions caused by the social unrest in 2019 and the outbreak of Covid-19 last year.  

Sources: 

HKDSE 2021: Written tests to be postponed to 23 April and oral tests to be cancelled

Registration Statistics of 2021 HKDSE 

British Council Operations 

In line with the HK government’s new social-distancing rules, The British Council will be closed to the general public. For the most up-to-date information on our services, please visit our website: www.britishcouncil.hk/en/covid-19 . We are of course happy to hold meetings with the UK Education sector by means of online calls.  

Travel restrictions in summary

• Non-Hong Kong residents will be denied entry into HK    

• Transit flight services at Hong Kong International Airport resumed from 01 June 2020  

• Residents and valid visa holders travelling from outside of China (excluding very high-risk places specified otherwise) must supply a negative Covid-19 test result 72 hours prior to flight departure time and a confirmation letter of hotel reservation for 21-day self-quarantine before boarding for HK.  

Sources:   

• https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html    

• Centre for Health Protection (CHP), HKSAR   

Macau

Updated 16 April

No major updates.

Contact: Anna Lee anna.lee@britishcouncil.org.hk or Karen Hsu  karen.hsu@britishcouncil.org.hk  

  

Indonesia

Updated 13 April

Indonesia continues to have SOPs and movement restrictions across the country; however, some relaxations have been introduced.  

The revised social and movement restriction measures include preferred remote working for offices, online learning, reduced capacity and operational hours for retail malls, and restaurants. The Indonesian government has relaxed coronavirus related social restrictions as the surge in new cases has been in decline.  

Indonesia launched the second round of mass vaccinations and aim to vaccinate 38.5 million citizens overt the next three months.   

Education

The government has ordered schools that have completed vaccinating their teachers, administrators and staff members to immediately resume in-person learning, aiming to fully re-open schools across the country for the new academic year in July. While some epidemiologists believe that schools can re-open safely, teachers are cautious about the plan as vaccination drives remain slow and schools are struggling to provide the necessary infrastructure to implement health protocols. The decision for immediate school reopening was issued through a joint decree signed by the education minister, health minister, home minister and religious affairs minister, who oversees madrassas and Islamic boarding schools.  

Source: https://www.thejakartapost.com/paper/2021/04/04/government-pushes-for-school-reopening.html  

LPDP in Indonesia had announced two scholarship categories. Further announcements for remaining categories of LPDP are awaited.  The announced scholarships included the PTUD scholarships intended for master’s and doctoral degrees at top ranking institutions. There are 15 international universities included in this list by LPDP, with two from the UK.     

Source: https://www.lpdp.kemenkeu.go.id/api/Medias/f5c3d319-769c-47e6-b572-5185bc8406d5    

Travel requirements

The Visa Application Centres in Jakarta and Bali remain open with controlled SOPs. 

Visitors/applicants can visit by appointment with prior approval from the embassy. 

Operating hours are: 

Bali: Monday (except national holidays) 8 am to 12 noon 

Jakarta: Mondays and Wednesdays (except national holidays) 8 am to 12 noon 

Source: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/idn/id/aut/attend-centre 

Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy announced a travel ban during the dates of May 6 to 17. This is to curtail and control movement during the public holidays for Eid. The government urged people to avoid nonessential travel outside of their cities of residence during the period to prevent a spike in COVID-19 cases. 

Sources: 

https://www.thejakartapost.com/paper/2021/04/08/no-mudik-no-cry.html 

https://money.kompas.com/read/2021/04/08/213505026/maskapai-penerbangan-dilarang-angkut-penumpang-pada-6-17-mei-2021?page=all  

While there are travel restrictions in place. Indonesia has re-opened travel corridors. 

After having extended travel restrictions three times since they were introduced at the end of last year, Indonesia has re-opened its existing international travel corridors. Indonesia worked to establish travel corridors for essential business with the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, China and Singapore. An ASEAN Travel Corridor Arrangement Framework has also been agreed upon, but ASEAN member states are still negotiating its implementation.   

Source: https://www.thejakartapost.com/paper/2021/02/12/indonesia-reopens-travel-corridors-amid-fears-of-new-virus-variants.html 

Public events

Large scale public events are not allowed. However, the new relaxations allow weddings/gatherings for small groups at hotels. 

British Council Activity

British Council staff continue to work from home. 

Contact: Saman Imtiaz, saman.imtiaz@britishcouncil.org.my 

 

Japan 

Updated 26 February

Latest news

• Across the country the cumulative totals now to 512,169 and the death toll as 9,469.  We can see that the fourth wave is now striking this country with a daily record of 4,312 new COVID-19 cases including a new high record of 1,130 in Osaka and 591 in Tokyo. 

• The state of emergency declaration that had been issued for the Tokyo metropolitan area and three prefectures were fully lifted with a deadline of March 21.  Now the number of people infected with the mutated virus is remarkable in Osaka. The "Priority Measures to Prevent the Spread of the New Coronavirus" stipulated in the Act on Special Measures against the New Coronavirus was applied to the three prefectures of Osaka, Hyogo and Miyagi on April 5. The measures will last for one month until May 5. It was also applied to the 23 wards and 6 cities in Tokyo on April 12.  It will last for one month until May 11. Intensive measures have been taken, such as requesting restaurants to shorten their business hours to 8 p.m.  

• Border enforcement measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) for all travellers including Japanese nationals are strengthened in Japan.  For detail, please refer to this website.  

Sources：

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/special/coronavirus/ 

https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html 

https://stopcovid19.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/ 

Public Events

• The government maintain restrictions on attendance at events such as professional sports games for cities and prefectures under the "Priority Measures to Prevent the Spread of the New Coronavirus".  The large-scale events (rock concerts, sporting events, etc.) should be limited to 50% or less including professional sport games. The maximum number of persons can exceed 5,000 but should not exceed 50% of the total number of persons allowed. 

•  Stricter restrictions can be imposed by the prefectural governor, depending on the status of infection in the region. In addition, organizers of large-scale events (over 1,000 participants) should consult with each prefectural government in advance, and each prefectural government should make a suitable decision on how to hold individual events, depending on the infection situation and the nature of the event. 

Schools and Universities 

• The Ministry of Education (MEXT) announced on 21st July 2020 that all the students who were planning to go study abroad should align to the safety information of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and recommended to refrain from going out of the country. Most of the countries including UK, USA, Canada and even NZ are listed in Level 3, among the highest-ranking countries. The Japanese Universities are making their decision aligned to this Government’s announcement and all the official exchange programs are being pended. The official scholarships are also being pended and students who were to receive the government funded scholarships are kept waiting. 

• The above announcement was revised and has been tightened. The students had been recommended strongly not to go study abroad at this moment. 

Source: https://www.bousai.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/1009757/1009761.html 

Schools and Universities    

• The Ministry of Education (MEXT) continued to announce that all the students who were planning to go study abroad should align to the safety information of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and recommended to refrain from going to the 152 of level 3 countries and to the countries or regions where the government has announced that people have been infected with the mutated virus. The Japanese Universities are making their decision aligned to this Government’s announcement. 

• Most elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools offer face-to-face classes.  

• In a survey on the implementation of second semester classes at universities released by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) on December 23, 50.4% of the 377 schools surveyed said that more than half of their total classes were conducted in face-to-face classes. The remaining 49.6% said that less than half of their classes were face-to-face. MEXT has asked universities and other institutions to make efforts to ensure that students could study in a way that they understand and accept, such as by considering the use of interview classes for those classes for which it is considered proper to take sufficient measures to prevent infection. 

Source: https://www.mext.go.jp/content/20201223-mxt_kouhou01-000004520_01.pdf 

British Council Activities

Considering the government announcement, all the universities are postponing the exchange programs and it is difficult for the students to realize their plan to study abroad. On the other hand, we are receiving some request from Japanese Universities to take part in their “Study Abroad Webinars” although the number of requests is much smaller than usual years.  

Contact  

Tomoko Kawakita, Head of Education, British Council Japan - tomoko.kawakita@britishcouncil.or.jp  

 

Malaysia  

Updated 13 April

Government Response

The Malaysian government announced on 12 April that the states of Selangor, Johor, Kelantan, Kuala Lumpur and Penang will remain under Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) from 15 to 28 April. Sarawak will be under CMCO from 13 April to 28 April. The decision is largely to contain a possible fourth wave of the pandemic. 

The Recovery Movement Control Order at Perlis, Melaka, Pahang, Terengganu, Sabah, Putrajaya, Labuan, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Kedah has also been extended till 26 April.  

The decision to extend restrictions and tighten SOPs comes after a recent increase in new infections.  

Source: https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/putrajaya-extends-cmco-five-states-and-kl-it-warns-possible-fourth-infection-wave

Public Events

The advisory for public events has changed slightly. The government announced earlier in the year that meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE events) may be allowed in states under MCO with due measures and regulatory processes about size of gathering and space.  More clarity on specific SOPs related to events will be shared when available.   

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/02/25/conferences-and-exhibitions-now-allowed-in-mco-states-with-limits-on-numbers  

There are strict measures and SOPs for visiting public places and include mandatory wearing of masks, temperature checks and contact tracing along with other measures.       

Education

SPM 2020 Exams that had been postponed twice earlier have now taken place. Schools have re-opened in March and April amid SOPs for social distancing and arrangements in place.  

Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/all-students-in-malaysia-back-to-school-for-first-time-since-covid-19-outbreak 

The Ministry of Higher Education has launched the Higher Education Institution Entrepreneurship Action Plan 20210-2025. The initiative is designed to synergise academics, industry, government and community for higher education students.      

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/02/19/higher-education-ministry-launches-action-plan-to-create-tech-savvy-graduates-for-the-digital-world 

The Malaysian government had announced that international students are allowed to enter Malaysia as of January 2021 and join their institutions except for students from the UK. This is due to the new Coronavirus strain cases in UK. Students entering Malaysia will have to undergo the mandatory quarantine and have evidence of an all clear covid-19 test three days prior to travel.   

Source: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/12/24/malaysia-to-allow-international-private-centre-students-in-by-start-of-2021/1934715  

Travel Restrictions

The mandatory quarantine period for travellers coming into Malaysia is now reduced to 7 and 10 days subject to a clear Covid-19 test three days prior to travel.  

Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-to-shorten-quarantine-period-for-incoming-travellers-from-14-days-to-10-days  

British Council Activities

British Council staff continue to work mostly from home.     

Contact: Saman Imtiaz, saman.imtiaz@britishcouncil.org.my    

 

Singapore 

Updated 9 April

Singapore had adopted a three-phased approach since emerging from the nation-wide circuit-breaker in June 2020. Phase One featured resumption of selected services and the staggered re-opening of schools. During Phase Two, all students attended daily face-to-face lessons and most businesses resumed, although working from home was strongly encouraged wherever possible.   

Phase Three commenced on 28 December 2020, with further relaxation of restrictions. All safe management practices remain in place. Covid-19 testing and contact tracing continue.  

From 5 April 2021 onwards, more employees may return to the workplace – the earlier limit of 50% of the workforce being able to come into offices has now been increased to 75% of the workforce. At the same time, employers are encouraged to allow their staff to continue working from home if they prefer to do so, and to continue offering flexible work arrangements and staggered start-end timings to staff.  

Source: https://www.gov.sg/article/updated-safe-management-measures-at-workplaces 

Vaccinations  

Vaccinations for healthcare workers started on 30 December 2020 and have been progressively extended to various sectors and age groups. From 24 March 2021 onwards, vaccinations have begun for those in the 45-59 age group. Those below 45 years can expect to receive invitations for their jabs by June.  

As of 3 April 2021, 1.05 million individuals have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Of these, more than 468,000 have received their second dose and completed the full vaccination regimen. 

The government plans for all Singaporeans and long-term residents to be vaccinated by end-2021, for free.  

Singapore is also exploring mutual recognition of vaccination certificates - which can be physical or digital, and have to be secure, tamper-proof and verifiable - with several countries and regions, including Australia. 

Sources: 

https://www.gov.sg/article/progress-update-and-expansion-of-vaccination-programme

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/covid-19-jabs-to-be-extended-to-those-below-45-from-june

Travel advisory 

The multi-ministerial taskforce is continuously monitoring the covid-19 situation in neighbouring countries/ regions. Border measures and quarantine requirements are routinely being updated accordingly with provisions for Air Travel Passes, Reciprocal Green Lanes and Periodic Commuting Arrangements.   

Source: https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/files/SHN-and-swab-summary.pdf  

The first case of the new B117 strain of the coronavirus circulating in the UK was confirmed in Singapore on 23 December 2020. Since then, about 25 more cases were reported and border restrictions were tightened. Long-term pass holders from the UK have not been allowed entry into or transit through Singapore from  23 December 2020 onwards; returning citizens and permanent residents are required to complete an additional 7 days’ Stay-Home-Notice (SHN) at their place of residence after the initial 14 days of SHN at a dedicated facility.  

Source: https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/health/shn  

Travel for studies

The advisory for students has been updated to allow travel for studies for students pursuing academic studies or professional qualifications overseas, for courses or examinations which require physical presence in the foreign educational institution. Students enrolled in local educational institutions may travel overseas to complete a compulsory course component or examination that cannot be completed locally. Students below the age of 18 may be accompanied by an adult. Mature students may travel overseas with their dependents who will be residing with them for the duration of their studies.   

Source: https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19 

Safe Management measures at Educational institutions           

The Ministry of Education has recommended the usage of TraceTogether (TT), whether in the form of TT tokens or with the use of smartphones with the TT app, to support existing contact tracing efforts.  

TT-only SafeEntry will only be implemented in schools when all students have had a chance to collect a token, either as part of the national distribution exercise at a Community Centre in their respective constituency, or as part of a follow-on school distribution exercise.   

To reinforce the need to use TraceTogether, TT-only SafeEntry will also be implemented in the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) - including the six autonomous universities and the five polytechnics - as part of a nation-wide effort to ensure high levels of usage of TT at public places. Each IHL will inform their students when TT-only SafeEntry is to begin on their individual campuses.   

In the meantime, institutions of higher education will continue to have strict safe management measures in place to ensure the well-being and safety of students and staff.  

Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/faqs-covid-19-infection     

Home-based learning in secondary schools  

Schools will conduct home-based learning (HBL) for students for at least two days a month, starting from the third term of the 2021 academic year. This change will affect all secondary school and junior college students, with every secondary school student set to receive a personal learning device by the end of the year.  

Sources: 

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/secondary-school-junior-college-students-to-spend-2-days-a-month-doing-home-based-learning  

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/home-based-learning-set-to-be-regular-part-of-schooling-post-covid-19-says  

Interdisciplinary studies and employability  

The National University of Singapore (NUS) announced plans to form a new college by merging two of its faculties: Arts and Social Sciences, and Science. The new interdisciplinary college, to be called the College of Humanities and Sciences, aims to equip students with market-relevant skills to thrive in the future economy. This move towards more interdisciplinary learning comes along with the Education Ministry's push in recent years for graduates to have core skills and knowledge, while remaining versatile and adaptable to future conditions. If current plans are approved, the new college could begin accepting students as soon as the next academic year which begins in August 2021.    

Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/nus-to-form-new-college-taking-in-its-arts-and-social-sciences-and-science-faculties-next    

From August 2021, NUS will also begin offering 10 cross-disciplinary degree programmes (CDPs). For example – pairing up economics and data science, computing and project management, engineering and business. These programmes aim to leverage synergies between complementary disciplines. The aim of this model is to enable graduates to not just meet market demands, but to also have mastery of a unique set of skills, leaving them better-equipped to thrive in a fast and complex world.  

Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/nus-to-offer-cross-disciplinary-degrees-from-august-2021  

Similarly, students enrolling in Nanyang Technological University (NTU) this year can also apply for a new degree in economics and data science. This degree is one of 13 new offerings from the university to expand students' options for interdisciplinary study.   

Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/degree-in-economics-and-data-science-among-ntus-new-interdisciplinary  

These announcements complement earlier reports of interdisciplinary study options being made available to students in other Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) including the polytechnics. The move aims to stretch students’ versatility and boost graduate employability.    

Sources: 

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/singapore-poly-to-combine-8-media-arts-and-design-programmes-into-1    

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/nanyang-polytechnic-revamps-teaching-by-doing-away-with-subject-boundaries  

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/polys-ite-universities-to-offer-courses-to-boost-graduates-employability    

The Ministry of Health in Singapore provides a regularly updated status report on the daily Covid-19 situation at  https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19    

Contact: Saman Imtiaz, saman.imtiaz@britishcouncil.org.my   

 

South Korea 

Updated on 8 April

The greater Seoul area, home to around half of the nation's 52-million population, is currently under Level 2 distancing, the third-highest in the country's five-tier scheme. Bans on gatherings of five or more people are in place nationwide. 

According to the Ministry of Education, 98.7% of all schools nationwide, including kindergartens, are operating normally now. Starting with special and health teachers, vaccinations for teachers and staff at school will begin on April 8.  

Sources:  

 

KCDC (Korean government’s official website for Covid-19) 

https://biz.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2021/04/07/2021040701462.html?utm_source=naver&utm_medium=original&utm_campaign=biz 

Contact: Heather Eom  sunhyun.eom@britishcouncil.org

 

Taiwan

Updated 8 April

• Taiwan’s cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus upon 7 April leaving the total number of cases at 1050, 10 death and 1007 recovered since the pandemic began at the end of December 2019, according to the Central Epidemic Command Centre (CECC) (source). 

• To keep social distancing of 1.5M and to wear the masks when entering to restaurant and public transportations are requested by the CDC. For information on the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Taiwan, please visit the Taiwan Centres for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov.tw/En  

• Taiwan eight public venues where mask-wearing is compulsory. 

Most public large events like exhibition or show are currently closed or if open but various events and activities are requested to wearing the masks, and some still maintain temperature measures and alcohol spraying when entering the venue. 

Schools and Universities

The Central Epidemic Command Center announced since March 2020 that students and teachers at senior and junior high schools as well as elementary schools around Taiwan are normal open. Ministry of Education announced international students travel to Taiwan opens.  

• Specialized Cases of Overseas Students in Universities and Colleges Returning to the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Response to the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) Testing procedure instructions after the completion of home quarantine. https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-25439-b3665-1.html 

• For information on the MoE of coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Taiwan, please visit the News Updates on Ministry of Education Taiwan website at https://english.moe.gov.tw/lp-117-1.html 

• Ministry of Education Allows More Categories of Overseas Students to Apply to Enter the Republic of China (Taiwan) from April 1, 2021. https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-117-25478-9437a-1.html 

• MoE suggests continuing to follow the latest epidemic prevention regulations announced by the CECC (link: https://www.cd.gov.tw) to implement the promotion of epidemic prevention education of faculty, staff and students.  

• Taiwan confirms one new COVID-19 case, vaccinations pass 10,000.   https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202103300016 

Travel Restrictions in summary

• Taiwan allows foreign nationals who wish to travel to Taiwan for reasons other than tourism to apply for a special entry permit with a Taiwan representative office overseas. British citizens in the UK may contact the Taipei Representative Office in London (TRO in London)  

• All foreign nationals except for those who hold Alien Resident Certificates (ARCs), documents proving they are in Taiwan for diplomatic or official purposes or to fulfil business contracts, or special entry permits are prohibited from entering Taiwan. 

• Upon entry, Taiwan requires all foreign nationals to present an English-language certificate of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three working days of boarding the flight to Taiwan and undergo a 14-day home quarantine period. The following visitors may be exempted from negative COVID-19 test:  personnel on diplomatic or official business, migrant workers, students, those coming to Taiwan for emergency situations, and crew members on vessels arriving in Taiwan.  More information can be found here. 

• Passengers are allowed to transit through the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport with the following restrictions: 1) flights from and to China are excluded; 2) transit passengers must fly with China Airlines, EVA Air, or Cathay Pacific and must fly with the same carrier in and out of Taiwan; 3) transit passengers must leave Taiwan within eight hours.  More information can be found here. 

• Any traveller arriving from outside Taiwan and granted entry are subject to a 14-day home quarantine. They will be required to complete a health declaration form and accurately provide their travel and contact history. 

• Short-term business travellers may apply for a shortened period of home quarantine. More information can be found here. 

• For the latest updates on Taiwan’s entry requirements, please monitor the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control website and the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bureau of Consular Affairs website. 

Sources: 

https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En 

https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-220-5081-c06dc-2.html

https://www.roc-taiwan.org/uk/index.html 

https://english.moe.gov.tw/lp-117-1.html 

  

Thailand 

Updated 8 April

• Infections rose again. 405 new cases were reported on 8 April, leaving the total number of cases at 30,310, 95 death and 28,101 recovered since the start of the pandemic.  

• Quarantine or rapid testing measures for people traveling from Bangkok and some nearby provinces are starting to be adopted in certain provinces in Thailand. 

• Starting from April 2021, everyone entering the country has to spend at least 10-14 days in quarantine. Vaccinated people may spend at least 7 days in quarantine. Read more. 

Schools, universities and public events

• On 7 April 2020, with the approval from the cabinet, Ministry of Education announced schools in Thailand to defer the start of the first semester of academic year 2020 from 16 May to 1 July 2020. On 8 May, the Ministry announced that it plans for the first semester to be run on 1 July – 13 November 2020, and the second semester on 1 December 2020 – 9 April 2021. This will result in 17-day and 37-day school breaks, respectively. 

• On 9 February 2021, the cabinet announced that schools may teach onsite where possible (with limited number of students per class) or mixed with online learning.  

• According to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation's recent announcement on 27 January 2021, universities can now resume their onsite teaching, except those located in the highest controlled province(s). 

• Key information including the term dates of key universities are on the IES site https://education-services.britishcouncil.org/news/market-news/east-asia-covid-19-update-%E2%80%93-26-june-2020  

British Council’s operation

In accordance with the Thai government, we have resumed all English classes at our centres from Wednesday 3 February 2021 with necessary measures in place. 

The examinations are running as normal with necessary measures in place. 

Additionally, we are doing our best to maximise the learning journeys and cultural connections for all through online resources that are available 24/7 and accessible to all. 

For more information please visit https://www.britishcouncil.or.th/en/about/notice  

The International Education Services Team is still in operation and will be able to help give advice and respond to queries from UK institutions, agents, and stakeholders. 

Contact: Uraiwan Samolee, uraiwan.samolee@britishcouncil.or.th 

 

 Vietnam  

Updated: 10 April

As of April 9, 2021, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health confirmed a total of 2,668 cases of COVID-19. However, 2,429 of the affected patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals. Vietnam has also recorded 35 deaths due to the pandemic. The latest cases were all imported and quarantined on arrival. 

At a regular meeting of the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, related agencies and telecom providers said Friday that the information technology infrastructure for handling Covid-19 vaccine passports was basically ready and "fully adapts to international preparations of vaccine passport deployment." 

Travel restrictions:

• In Vietnam, domestic flights have been resumed and the Prime Minister has asked relevant agencies to study the use of “vaccine passports” and gradually reopen international flights. 

• Flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines is expected to resume some international flights connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with South Korea, Japan, and Australia from April 3. However, only repatriated approved Vietnamese citizens and approved foreign experts will be allowed to enter Vietnam. 

Schools, universities and public events 

All schools and universities have been back to F2F teaching and learning since 2 March 2021 when the third covid outbreak was under control. 

Authorities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city have allowed the reopening of bars, nightclubs, and karaoke parlors from late March effectively reopening all businesses and services but with preventive measures. 

British Council’s operation: our activities are open to normal. 

Sources: 

1. Foreign arrivals required to register accommodation upon booking flights to Vietnam, 17 Sep  
2. Vietnam to reopen international air routes from April 1,1 April 
3. Vietnam readies vaccine passport entry for investors, tourists, 10 April

Contact: Education Services Manager,  Hien Le hien.le@britishcouncil.org.vn