Renewed pandemic wave may delay - not derail - Asean's economic recovery

TWO steps forward, one step back - this is the case for South-east Asia as a renewed wave of Covid-19 cases rears it head and nations hunker down once again with movement curbs against the pandemic that is into its 15th (and counting) month.

While the worrying trend is a reminder that the crisis is far from over, pundits have yet to pronounce the latest events as a spoiler for Asean's 2021 recovery party from the pandemic-led worst economic contractions of the past 50 years.

Singapore, deemed one of the world's best at containing the pandemic, brought back strict Covid-19 curbs on gatherings and public activities beginning May 16 to mid-June, amid a rise in community infections. A week ago, Malaysia dramatically tightened nationwide movement restrictions after daily new cases breached a record.