The Delta variant poses many challenges to the world’s COVID-19 response strategy. It is scientifically known that the Delta variant’s transmissibility was also estimated to be 2 - 3 times higher than pre-mutation strains. This highly contagious variant has caused a wave of new infections in many countries, including Viet Nam. The question arises: which one is more effective?- Persevering with the ‘Zero COVID’ strategy (completely eliminating new infections if any) or moving into a new phase of safely living with this deadly virus.

The number of road users participating in traffic on main roads gradually increased when Da Nang implemented safe and flexible COVID-19 adaptation measures. (Photo taken on Le Van Hien street, Ngu Hanh Son District by PHUC AN )

The Vietnamese government has given a nod to a change in COVID-19 response strategy policy from ‘Zero COVID’ to ‘Safe and flexible adaptation and effective control of the COVID-19 pandemic’ though the adoption of Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP.

The move aims to reach the goals of ensuring the maximum protection of the health and life of people, minimising infections and deaths due to COVID-19, boosting socio-economic restoration and development, guaranteeing security, and realising the dual goal of bringing the whole country to a new normal as soon as possible.

Accordingly, the guidelines set out 3 criteria to assess the level of pandemic risk, including the number of new infections in the community, the coverage of vaccinations, and the ability to receive and treat patients at all levels.

The new guidelines stipulate four levels of pandemic risk as follows: Level 1: Low-risk (new normal) – labeled green; Level 2: Medium-risk – labeled yellow; Level 3: High-risk – labeled orange and Level 4: Very high-risk – labeled red

The decision of the pandemic level will be assessed at the lowest level (below the commune level), in order to ensure flexibility and efficiency. On the basis of classification of four risk levels, administrative measures will be applied for management.

In fact, the change of the national government's anti-pandemic strategy is in line with the growing trend seen in other countries. After months of lockdown, some countries worldwide are leaving behind their Zero-COVID’ policy and charting a path toward living with the virus.

Battling Delta, New Zealand abandons its Zero-COVID ambitions

In March 2020, when COVID-19 began to break out, the New Zealand government announced a COVID-19 warning system with 4 levels. For a year and a half, New Zealand has pursued a strategy of ‘Zero-COVID,’ closing its borders and quickly enforcing lockdowns. This country’s approach to the pandemic has proved successful, giving it one of the lowest rates of cases and deaths in the world.
At the beginning of October 2021, New Zealand began to move away from ‘Zero-COVID toward living with the virus, becoming the latest country to abandon its elimination attempts in the face of the highly-contagious Delta variant.

CNN quoted Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as saying: “We've managed to largely control the outbreak, but as you can see with this outbreak and with Delta, the return to zero is incredibly difficult,” adding that long periods of tough restrictions had been unable to sufficiently reduce infections.

Australia switched tack on ‘Zero- COVID’

Australia has changed its COVID strategy.  It's time to leave lockdowns and "come out of the cave", Prime Minister Scott Morrison said. With vaccinations accelerating, this country is on track to live with the virus, not try to eliminate it.

The stages of reopening New South Wales, the most populous state in Australia. are now on right track.

Stage One came into effect on 11 October when the state hit its first target of 70% double dose vaccinations.

Stage Two, based on 80% double dose targets, achieved on 18 October with new freedoms for the fully vaccinated and more social and cultural institutions open to the public and the resumption of face-to-face teaching at schools for the first time in months.

A further easing is expected to occur on 1 November and the final stage, including for unvaccinated people, will occur from 1 December, regardless of vaccination rate.

Quarantine for vaccinated arrivals will be lifted from 1 November. Caps will also be lifted for vaccinated travellers.

Unvaccinated international arrivals will still have to complete 14 days quarantine.

Denmark lifts all COVID-19 restrictions 

After hundreds of days, Denmark has officially dropped all of its COVID-19 restrictions, a decision making it one of the first EU countries to do so.

The country boasts an 80% vaccination rate among people over the age of 12 - the driving force behind this outstanding choice.

The move came amid the fact that the country’s high vaccination rate means the pandemic has been brought under control in this European country.

More than 70% of the Danish population are now fully-vaccinated against this highly contagious disease.

Under the regulations, Danes no longer need to show valid vaccine passports to enter restaurants, nightclubs or large events.

However, the travel and border restrictions remain in place for now. Accordingly, travellers entering Denmark must still present either a vaccine passport or a negative PCR test, and masks are mandatory in airports.

Singapore, Thailand open to visitors

Thailand has released plans to end COVID quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travellers from at least 10 low-risk nations from November 1 , a key step to restore the country's tourism sector which was hit hard by the coronavirus blow.

The 10 nations seen as low risk include the UK, China, Germany and the US.

Starting November 1, fully-vaccinated tourists will be able to skip quarantine if they show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken before their trip and get tested again upon arrival, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

The country plans to expand its list of allowed countries by December and then again in January.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said, “We must act quickly but still cautiously, and not miss the opportunity to entice some of the year-end and New Year holiday season travellers during the next few months.”

In a similar vein, Singapore has announced the expansion of its "Vaccinated Travel Lane" (VTL) network to another 9 countries, after a pilot programme with Germany and Brunei. Fully-vaccinated travellers from these countries are able to enter Singapore without serving quarantine, as long as they have been in the country for at least 14 days prior to their departure from this Southeast Asian country. 

The newly-added countries include Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, the US and South Korea. Visitors must test negative for the virus, and will have to take designated flights into the country.

It can be said that COVID-19 is presenting humanity with more unexpected challenges than people can imagine. When it is not possible to put all the effort to make it disappear completely in a short period of time, countries will have to prepare well for the scenario of living with the deadly virus. The key to the current pandemic containment phase lies in the vaccine coverage strategy, the stratification of the treatment of severe patients, and the rehabilitation of society's mental health. It can be drawn that the country that is calmer, more alert, has a more scientific and sustainable strategy may get through the pandemic with the least losses.

Reporting by TRAN DUY – Translating by ANH THU