This week: Ukraine invasion, Covid spikes and new Test & Go rules
Russia invades Ukraine
Invading Russian forces pressed deep into Ukraine on Thursday as deadly battles reached the outskirts of Kyiv.
Russian missiles and shelling rained down on Ukrainian cities after President Vladimir Putin unleashed a full-scale ground invasion and air assault, forcing civilians to shelter on metro systems, with 100,000 people displaced.
Putin said further Nato expansion and its use of Ukraine's territory is unacceptable.
As EU leaders discuss what they describe as a package of massive, targeted sanctions, US President Biden said the world will hold Russia accountable.
Putin said that in the case of foreign intervention, Russia will react immediately.
Govt to scrap Day-5 Test & Go PCR test
Record Covid highs met rule easing this week as the government announced relaxed entry rules for foreign visitors starting next month.
From March 1, arrivals will no longer have to take a PCR test and stay in an approved hotel on the fifth day, instead taking a self-antigen test.
In addition, the minimum medical insurance coverage for visitors will drop to $20,000 from $50,000.
The move came as more countries are easing border controls to lure holidaymakers.
Record Covid case figures
The Test & Go changes came despite a surge of Covid cases, with figures reaching record highs. The Public Health Ministry on Friday reported a daily increase of almost 25,000 new coronavirus infections during the previous 24 hours, as the kingdom deals with an outbreak driven by the Omicron variant.
The number of daily Covid-related deaths, however, was 41 -- well below the 184 fatalities reported on August 13 last year, when Thailand recorded its previous daily record.
Surge prompts Level 4 alert
The Public Health Ministry raised its Covid-19 alert to Level 4 following the sharp increase in Omicron infections nationwide.
Under the new alert, people are encouraged to work from home, avoid non-essential inter-provincial travel, suspend overseas trips, close at-risk venues and avoid large gatherings.
Tourism operators thrashed the announcement, insisting state policy should enable people to live with the virus instead of limiting travel activities.
