As COVID-19 cases climb in several parts of Asia, updated public health guidelines in 2025 are shifting towards flexible isolation and prevention strategies. While infections continue to spread across countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand, health authorities are encouraging the use of rapid tests, clear symptom monitoring, and improved hygiene to reduce transmission, especially in public and high-risk environments.

Hong Kong has recorded a steady increase in COVID-19 cases over the past 10 weeks. Weekly cases went up from just 33 at the start of March to over 1,000 by May 10. The positivity rate has risen from 0.31% on March 1 to 13.66% by May 10, with the city reporting around 50 severe cases and deaths in the past two weeks. Authorities in Hong Kong have recommended that individuals with weak immunity or existing health conditions take an additional vaccine dose at least six months after their last shot or infection, irrespective of how many doses they’ve already received.

In a statement, the Hong Kong government urged the public to maintain strong hygiene practices, stating, “Members of the public are advised to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene at all times.”

Singapore also saw a 30% spike in COVID-19 cases in the first week of May, with total infections rising from 11,100 to 14,200 in just one week. Hospital admissions also went up from an average of 102 to 133 per day. Health officials there attribute the rise to waning immunity and the spread of new subvariants like LF.7 and NB.1.8, both stemming from the JN.1 lineage, which is also used in the latest vaccine.

Thailand, following its holiday season, has reported a cumulative 71,067 cases and 19 deaths so far in 2025, showing that regional trends are shifting even as global attention has reduced.

Updated guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health agencies focus more on individual symptoms than test dates. People are now advised to start isolation based on when symptoms begin. Those who feel unwell should remain at home, especially in the early days of illness, which is when they are most contagious.

Isolation ends when a person has been fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication and their symptoms are clearly improving. There is no longer a fixed five or ten-day isolation rule. High-quality masks should be worn for five additional days after isolation to reduce further spread. There’s no need to retest after a positive result unless specifically advised by a healthcare provider.

Rapid tests remain a key part of COVID-19 management. Whether for travel, work, or symptoms, at-home tests provide results within 15 minutes and help limit community spread.

Quarantine is no longer mandatory for those exposed to the virus, regardless of vaccination status. However, people are encouraged to monitor for symptoms and take a test between days 3 and 5 post-exposure. In high-risk environments like hospitals and long-term care facilities, stricter measures and longer isolation may still apply.

Those most at risk — including people over 65, those with chronic diseases, or weakened immune systems — are advised to isolate carefully, wear masks in public indoor spaces, and remain updated on boosters. Hygiene practices like handwashing and ventilation remain essential in managing the virus in day-to-day life.

The approach to COVID-19 in 2025 is focused on practicality — recognising symptoms early, using rapid testing, and acting quickly to prevent spread. As cases surge in parts of Asia, these updated protocols are key to balancing safety with everyday routines.