Part 1: Return to the Office Series - Predicting the Return to the Office

ASIA PACIFIC

OUTLOOK – APAC VIRUS UPDATE

Unfortunately, the virus is making a resurgence across many countries in the region. Markets in South East Asia—including Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines—are experiencing high virus caseloads, averaging above 100 new daily cases per million people. Malaysia is currently above 500 new daily cases per million in population. Japan has also recently experienced a spike in cases, which appears to have peaked at over 200 new daily cases per million. Australia, South Korea and Singapore are in a narrow band, each recording around 50 new daily cases per million. However, in the instance of Australia, some states and territories are COVID-free, while New South Wales and Victoria are battling growing clusters. Following an especially large outbreak in April and May of this year, India has largely managed to contain the virus, with only around 22 new daily cases per million. On a further positive note, Greater China has all but quashed the virus with new cases totaling less than 100 cases per day in September across the total population of 1.5 billion people. A localized outbreak in Tianjin was brought under control in August and another in Xiamen is currently being managed.

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