Latest news with #SongkranFestival
Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Health experts urge Malaysians to stay vigilant of Covid-19
Doctors are advising vigilance, urging people to wear mask and sanitise their hands regularly. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK GEORGE TOWN, Penang - Malaysians have been urged to remain vigilant of Covid-19, especially during the coming school holidays. Virologist Dr Kumitaa Theva Das said Covid-19 cases would usually hike when there are large gatherings, as the phenomenon increases the chances of the spread of the virus. 'For example, the spike in Thailand was attributed to the Songkran Festival in April. 'But since this JN.1 variant has been circulating for a while, we are not going to see 20,000 cases a day despite the school holidays,' she said. Schools around the country will take a one-week break from May 29 to June 9. Dr Kumitaa, who is with Universiti Sains Malaysia, said the country's healthcare providers were also not expected to be overwhelmed. Experts surmise that JN.1, a descendant of the Omicron lineage, emerged two years ago in several countries, including Malaysia. She said the current spike in neighbouring countries, like Singapore, was due to the LF.7 and NB.1.8 variants, which are offshoots of JN.1. She said LF.7 was actually detected in Malaysia middle of 2024. 'This means that many people may have been infected with it in the past and have immunity against it,' she said. She added that the public should always practice caution at all times and wear masks if necessary. 'If you have young children or elderly in your family, wearing a mask will help keep you safe, especially for the high-risk groups,' Dr Kumitaa said. Penang Hospital's infectious disease unit head Datuk Dr Chow Ting Soo said it was important for people not to drop their guard. 'We should always practice good cough etiquette and avoid public spaces when down with respiratory illnesses,' she said. Dr Chow said wearing masks and avoiding crowded areas were a must if one is immunocompromised or elderly. She also urged people to adopt proper hygiene practices and get their annual vaccinations. 'Now, we have the Covid-19 vaccine available at government health clinics. The elderly and those with comorbidities can get their appointments via the MySejahtera app,' she said. Penang health director Dr Fazilah Shaik Allaudin said that, according to the latest announcement from the Health Ministry on May 16, all states in Malaysia reported Covid-19 cases that fell below the warning threshold for the period spanning Epidemiological Week (EW) 16 to EW19/2025, which includes Penang. She said the ministry would continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation and will implement suitable preventative measures based on the current risk assessment. In Kedah, health committee chairman Mansor Zakaria said the situation was also under control. 'Cases recorded are not serious, and there is no indication that there will be an increase,' he said. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Virologist: Stay vigilant during the school break
Mask up: Doctors are advising vigilance, urging mask wear and hand sanitising. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star GEORGE TOWN: Malaysians have been urged to remain vigilant of Covid-19, especially during the coming school holidays. Virologist Dr Kumitaa Theva Das said usually, cases would hike when there are large gatherings, as the phenomenon increases the chances of the spread of the virus. 'For example, the spike in Thailand was attributed to the Songkran Festival in April. 'But since this JN.1 variant has been circulating for a while, we are not going to see 20,000 cases a day despite the school holidays,' she said. Dr Kumitaa, who is with Universiti Sains Malaysia, said the country's healthcare providers were also not expected to be overwhelmed. Experts surmise that JN.1, a descendant of the Omicron lineage, emerged two years ago in several countries, including Malaysia. She said the current spike in neighbouring countries, like Singapore, was due to the LF.7 and NB.1.8 variants, which are offshoots of JN.1. She said LF.7 was actually detected in Malaysia middle of last year. 'This means that many people may have been infected with it in the past and have immunity against it,' she said. She added that the public should always practice caution at all times and wear masks if necessary. 'If you have young children or elderly in your family, wearing a mask will help keep you safe, especially for the high-risk groups,' Dr Kumitaa said. Penang Hospital's infectious disease unit head Datuk Dr Chow Ting Soo said it was important for people not to drop their guard. 'We should always practice good cough etiquette and avoid public spaces when down with respiratory illnesses,' she said. Dr Chow said wearing masks and avoiding crowded areas were a must if one is immunocompromised or elderly. She also urged people to adopt proper hygiene practices and get their annual vaccinations. 'Now, we have the Covid-19 vaccine available at government health clinics. The elderly and those with comorbidities can get their appointments via the MySejahtera app,' she said. State health director Datuk Dr Fazilah Shaik Allaudin said that, according to the latest announcement from the Health Ministry on May 16, all states in Malaysia reported Covid-19 cases that fell below the warning threshold for the period spanning Epidemiological Week (EW) 16 to EW19/2025, which includes Penang. She said the ministry would continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation and will implement suitable preventative measures based on the current risk assessment. In Kedah, health committee chairman Mansor Zakaria said the situation was also under control. 'Cases recorded are not serious, and there is no indication that there will be an increase,' he said. Schools around the country will take a one-week break from May 29 to June 9.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Time of India
Hong Kong, Singapore see spike in COVID-19 cases: What it means for travellers
Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Thailand and other regions in Southeast Asia are experiencing a significant hike in COVID-19 cases. As per reports, Singapore alone has reported a 28 percent hike in cases in the last one year (with 14,200 cases recorded as of May 3, 2025). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In China too, COVID cases are on peak and Thailand has seen a major increase following the April Songkran Festival. So, if you are planning a trip to any of these nations, it's time to rethink your plan and if you are, it's necessary to take extra precautions. Countries experiencing a spike in COVID-19 Cases Hong Kong : According to health officials, Hong Kong is facing a fresh wave of COVID-19 infections. The positivity rate for respiratory samples has increased from 1.7% in March to 11.4%. As of now, 81 cases have been reported, with 30 fatalities. Mostly elderly individuals with underlying health conditions are being affected. Singapore : The dominant strains currently circulating in Singapore are 'LF.7' and 'NB.1.8', both subvariants of the JN.1 lineage. Singapore has seen a worrisome spike in COVID cases in early May. The weekly infections have gone up to 14,200 while daily hospitalisations have increased by about 30%. China : The number of COVID cases are going up again in China, touching the peak levels seen during last summer. The positive cases have doubled in recent weeks, as reported by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Thailand : The COVID cases have spiked in Thailand after the Songkran festival in April. The country reported two cluster outbreaks. Time to rethink your travel? For those planning to visit any of these nations should be fully aware of the present COVID-19 situation. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now There are many factors to consider before you plan a trip. Some important points to consider are the severity of the outbreak, personal health condition, and if there are any local travel restrictions. If it is a non-essential trip, it's advisable to postpone your trip. Necessary precautions to take: Wear a mask Avoid crowded places Wash your hands or use sanitizer Consider getting a booster shot Avoid travelling if: Elderly people, kids, people with health conditions such as cancer and diabetes must avoid travelling. It is a good thing that cases are mild, and people typically recover without any major problem.
The Star
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Thai hotels see 30% drop in Chinese tourists in Q2, occupancy rate falls to 52% in May
BANGKOK: Thailand's tourism sector has entered the full low season, and private businesses are increasingly concerned about the foreign tourist market. Not only are there no positive factors supporting growth, but negative influences are compounding. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the number of foreign tourists between May 1–11 reached 851,912, while the total for Jan 1–May 11 stood at 12,948,032 — a decrease of 1.04% compared to the same period last year. Chinese tourists still ranked first in number at 1,766,870, only 100,000 more than Malaysian tourists, who ranked second. Thienprasit Chaiyaphatranan, President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), reported findings from the April 2025 "Hotel Business Confidence Index" survey, conducted in collaboration with the Bank of Thailand. The survey, conducted from April 10–28 with 139 hotel respondents, revealed that most hoteliers expect a year-on-year decline in international guests in Q2, especially in the Central and Southern regions. Around 25% of respondents expect the number of Chinese tourists to drop by more than 30%. More than half of the hotels also anticipate a decline in the average daily room rate (ADR) compared to the same period last year, with most reducing rates by over 10%. However, about one-quarter of hotels—particularly 4-star and above, and those in the South—have managed slight rate increases, generally not exceeding 5%. The average hotel occupancy rate in April 2025 was 63%, down from the previous month, in line with a drop in international arrivals, especially from China. Chinese travelLers are reportedly concerned about safety issues in Thailand. Regionally, the occupancy rates were: North: 38.7% (down from 47.3% in March), East: 69.2% (up slightly from 67.4%), Central: 59.9% (down from 69.2%), and South: 70.8% (down from 78.5%). The forecasted national occupancy rate for May 2025 is 52%. Thienprasit added that tourism in April remained vibrant, largely due to the Songkran Festival, which attracted both Thai and international tourists. However, there is rising concern about the international market due to global economic volatility, China's economic slowdown, and China's policies encouraging domestic travel. Additionally, multiple factors have negatively affected Thailand's image among Chinese tourists, including human trafficking issues, safety concerns from recent earthquakes, and social media narratives about illegal Chinese business operations. 'At the same time, regional competitors like Vietnam and Malaysia are aggressively promoting tourism, offering incentives, cutting costs, and adjusting policies to attract more visitors,' he said. The THA hopes that new markets can help offset the decline in Chinese tourists in May. It urges both public and private sectors to boost tourism through promotional campaigns and events. Thailand's strong tourism potential can be further enhanced by reducing restrictions, addressing weaknesses, improving service quality, and focusing on value over volume to establish Thailand as a top-choice repeat destination. "Still, ensuring safety and service quality remains essential to attract both domestic and international tourists," Thienprasit emphasised. - The Nation/ANN
South China Morning Post
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Stop trying to elevate my food. It doesn't need it and it's condescending to some cuisines
Kowloon City is back in vogue. With Hong Kong's new Kai Tak arena within walking distance – OK, it is a long walk – and last year's popular film Twilight Of The Warriors: Walled In romanticising the area's legendary former slum, you might say the old district is new again. Advertisement I live near Kowloon City, and what I go there for is Thai food. There is a cluster of authentic Thai restaurants and shops, operated by a vibrant community that has made the neighbourhood its own. Best of all, an amazing plate of pad Thai or basil beef rice lunch only costs about HK$50 (US$6.50). Afterwards, I can shop for Southeast Asian spices and ingredients, and even take home a mango sticky rice dessert as good as any from Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market Participants spray water during the Songkran festival at South Wall Road in Kowloon City in 2025. South Wall Road is essentially Little Bangkok now. Photo: May Tse This is why I am never all that enthusiastic when my Central-dwelling friends on Hong Kong Island suggest getting Thai in their neighbourhood. Sometimes I will make an alternative proposal for them to come over to my neck of the woods. Usually, there will be some hesitancy and excuses, like, 'Oh, I'm not sure how to take the MTR there.' Advertisement Alas, it is hard to convince certain Hongkongers to trek over to deep, dark Kowloon. Worse, when they Google search the places I suggest, the restaurants look like dives. The pictures have bad lighting, minimal decor and no-frills food presentation.
