Omicron's a milder bump for Asean, after earlier, harsher waves

Any hit to gross domestic product is expected to be contained in the first quarter

Annabeth Leow

Published Mon, Jan 24, 2022 · 05:50 AM

Omicron variant

Singapore

COVID-19 cases are on the rise across South-east Asia, weeks after the extra-contagious Omicron variant was first reported in the region.

But the economic damage will be less severe than in previous waves of coronavirus infection, as policymakers eschew crippling lockdowns, analysts believe.

With a pick-up in vaccine rollout fuelling faith in Asean's economic resilience, any hit to the gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to be contained in the first quarter.

"Unles…