AirAsia CEO 'bullish' on beating Omicron

AirAsia Group chief executive Tony Fernandes has urged governments to stop “overreacting” to the emergence of the new Omicron variant of Covid-19 and focus on reducing the cost of PCR testing instead. “It’s a huge overreaction. We don’t know anything about this variant yet. Let’s wait and see before we jump the gun,” Fernandes said Thursday. The chief executive of the low-cost carrier said the world is more equipped and better prepared to deal with Omicron — first detected in South Africa — than previous strains. “There are Merck pills, and Pfizer pills are coming out. We are vaccinated. There are boosters available. I’m feeling much more bullish, and I am not doom and gloom,” he said. “Governments need to use common sense and see what is needed. I think travel restrictions and [such measures] are temporary, and the world is global. No matter how much we close the borders, the viruses will travel.” He criticised the pricing and frequency of the PCR tests required by many governments, including Thailand, when travellers enter their borders. He said this risks deterring passengers from taking a vacation despite the pent-up demand to venture overseas. “No government has looked at the cost of the PCR test. PCR tests in Southeast Asia are extremely [expensive]. It’s unfair for passengers to pay that kind of cost. Of course, we want to be safe, but make it as simple as possible.” He praised Thailand for planning to reduce some of these charges and procedures. “Thailand is ahead of the rest of Asean, which are still quite draconian," he said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.<br/>