January 5

The rapid spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant is forcing Asian countries to tighten regulations.

Thailand recorded 280 new Omicron infections on Monday in a continued surge since the New Year holidays. The country's health ministry announced that more than 2,000 Omicron cases have been reported since the variant was first detected in November.

The number represents about 20% of the overall cases, as the Delta variant remains dominant.

Thai authorities are now considering a continuation of mandatory quarantines for all international arrivals, a measure that was reintroduced in late December.

Thailand had lifted the requirements for tourists from dozens of nations in November as a part of efforts to rebuild the country's hard-hit economy.

The authorities are calling on government officials and private companies to have employees work from home to prevent the spread of the infection.

Meanwhile, India reported more than 37,000 new cases on Tuesday, the most since early September, as the Omicron variant spread, especially in urban regions.

NHK