In the past, many countries around the world have implemented lockdown measures, close the country to reduce social distance. This method has been effective. The number of infected people has decreased. But the economy stumbled to a halt. When returning to normal situation, the number of infected people also skyrocketed. The concept of living with COVID is another option that many countries would like to try out. In case this method may be the best solution. Some countries have declared COVID-19 has become a local disease so that people can live with the covid-19 smoothly.

Today, I invite you to look at the situation of fighting Covid-19 of each country in the CLMV group. How did they adjust according to the Next Normal way during last 2 years?

Let's start with Cambodia first. In the past, Cambodia is considered one of the fastest in the ASEAN region that has distributed and mobilized the vaccination against COVID-19, by receiving vaccine support from many countries and organizations such as Sinovac Vaccines and Sino Farms from China AstraZeneca vaccine under the World Health Organization's Covax Program. and the Pfizer vaccine, donated by the Australian government. Cambodia has mobilized full-dose vaccination for 92.55% of the total population of 16 million people (as of March 27, 2022). Cambodia has eased immigration measures and announced the full opening of the country in all areas by adhering to the way of living with COVID-19 in a new way.

Cambodia has managed an effective vaccine administration along with public health measures that are conducive to investor's entry into the country business people and tourists. This is a positive factor that makes the overall economy in the country tend to recover continuously. The World Bank Group has forecast Cambodia's economy to grow at 4.5% for 2022 (before the Covid-19 outbreak. at around 7%), which is a very satisfactory number. And it can build confidence for investors and entrepreneurs who are interested in doing business in Cambodia as well.

The next country is Laos PDR. For the year 2021, there has been a big highlight of the country, namely on December 2, which corresponds to the National Day of Laos PDR, has announced the use of the China-Laos electric train. This is one of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects that China has planned to connect the economy between China and ASEAN whose destination is Singapore This project is a project of the country's hopes that it can greatly stimulate the country's economy.

Last January, The Lao PDR government has launched a drug "Molacovir" which can be produced within the country itself. It is a cooperation between Germany and Lao PDR, which is the same drug as Molnupiravir used to treat influenza. It can be used to treat COVID-19 patients at the initial stage. The patient must be over 18 years of age without pneumonia and does not fall into a state of hypoxia. Patient must take 4 pills at a time, 2 times a day, continuously for 5 days, which costs 1 jar of 400,000 kip (approximately 1,185 baht, average 30 baht/tablet).

It is considered a good signal for Lao PDR to develop the economy according to the new Next Normal way for the economy to move forward, build confidence for investors who have a goal of moving towards Lao PDR.

For the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, it is well known that in the past Myanmar has faced both domestic political problems and the epidemic of Covid-19. Currently, the situation has almost returned to normal. There’s remains on the spread of COVID-19 that is still spreading consistent with the world.

As for trade and investment with Thailand, in 2021, Myanmar imported goods from Thailand increased by 13% from the previous year. The Ministry of Commerce predicts that in 2022, Myanmar will import more products from Thailand, another 3-5% reflects a preference for Thai products. And Thailand is a neighboring country with adjacent borders, which is convenient for transportation of goods.

Although at present the international commercial aviation of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar is not in service. If necessary, travel authorization is required, including complying with measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But for land transportation through the border can still operate normally, except for personal travel through the border that still need the same permission.

In the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, nearly 100% of the population has received two doses of the vaccine, but as of February 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic was hit severely from the Omicron strain during the first 7 days of March. The number of infected people increased by an average of 160,000 people / day.

In order to stimulate the economy, especially the tourism sector, to bring back income after two years of lockdown, from March 15, Vietnam will open the country to welcome tourists. Those coming to Vietnam must be fully vaccinated, have test results for covid-19 Negative both before departure and after arrival. They also must have health insurance coverage of US$10,000 or more.

In addition, in 2022, Vietnam, as the host of the 31st SEA Games, is still running the competition. It was postponed from the previous year due to the severe epidemic situation of the delta species.

References

1.      PPTVHD36. “Cambodia starts vaccinating against COVID-19 for the general public, target of 10 million by the end of this year”. https://www.pptvhd36.com/news/%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A8/147815 (accessed 25/10/2021)

2.      Nikkei Asia. “Cambodia COVID cases plummet after PM orders reduced testing”. https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Cambodia-COVID-cases-plummet-after-PM-orders-reduced-testing (accessed 26/10/21)

3.      SCB EIC. “CLMV Outlook Q3 2021”. https://www.scbeic.com/th/detail/file/product/7761/g1rp3t9nkm/CLMV_Outlook-3Q21_Publication_TH_external.pdf (accessed 26/10/21)

4.      Siamrath. “Laos lockdown in Vientiane for a new time - to prevent the spread of coronavirus, breaking records”. https://siamrath.co.th/n/282341 (accessed 27/10/2021)

5.      Krungthepturakij. “Cambodia announced a full country reopening today. Ready to live with Covid-19”. https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/news/969301 (accessed 28/12/2021)

6.      Matichon. “Laos launches Molacovir, produced in the country to treat COVID-19 patients” . https://www.matichon.co.th/foreign/news_3115487 (accessed 8/3/2022)

7.      SCB Thailand. “CLMV Focus 2022 : Myanmar Today - Changes and future business opportunities”. https://www.facebook.com/scb.thailand/videos/478753470374716 (accessed 8/3/2022)

8.      Today. “Vietnam aims to revitalize tourism Open for foreigners to travel starting March 15” https://workpointtoday.com/vietnam-re-open-for-tourism/ (accessed 9/3/2022)