Waltzing with SARS-CoV-2 for Asia?

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SAR-CoV-2) and the resultant coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been with us since 2020 and caused millions of deaths.Pharmacological and mechanical ventilatory support were largely ineffective in containing the viral spread. 1 The virus continued to cause outbreaks across the world, with many cases being asymptomatic or mild.Unfortunately, the emergence of variants, vaccine hesitancy, and various political issues hindered the efficacy of >10 novel vaccines on a global scale. 2 With a higher basic reproduction number than some other common respiratory viruses, the spread was likened to soldiers hidden in the Trojan horse. 3,4any countries and cities worldwide, including the United Kingdom, Denmark, Chile, South Africa, and Thailand tried to transition to a post-pandemic 'new normal' by living alongside SARS-CoV-2. 5 They all faced the similar situation of high case numbers, hospitalisation rates, and death rates, even as the numbers of those who had received vaccinations increased.Many countries and cities in Asia took a more conservative approach in dealing with the pandemic.Malaysia largely avoided the first wave of the virus in 2020 after the early imposition of restrictions and closing of its borders. 6Partly due to the Delta variant, Malaysia faced its worst COVID-19 wave, prompting authorities to impose a tough nationwide lockdown.However, as case numbers fell and the vaccine rollout increased in scope, authorities began lifting curbs and businesses were allowed to reopen.The government also eased domestic and international travel restrictions in October 2021 for those who were fully vaccinated, allowing travellers to apply to enter Malaysia for home quarantine on return.Across the strait, by October 2021, Singapore's COVID-19 death toll had risen to 153 which coincided with the highest number of deaths reported in a single day. 7Despite this, Singapore planned to adopt the Western approach of living with the virus once vaccination rates had reached a high enough level, as it was practically impossible to eradicate the virus despite the high economic and psychosocial burdens of 'zero-COVID-19' strategies.Hong Kong maintained great control during