Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Costs and concerns as Asean races to deliver COVID-19 testing
As the world reels from the outbreak of COVID-19 Asean nations are scrambling to provide testing for millions of concerned citizens and their families.
— AEC News Today
COVID-19 in Asean: update for March 22 — regional cases breach 2,500
As of 01:35 GMT March 22 there was 2,594 active cases of COVID-19 throughout the 10 Asean member countries, an increase of 378 on the day prior.
— AEC News Today
Pandemic Control: A New Area for ASEAN Defense Cooperation?
The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a pandemic. In Southeast Asia, most countries have reported cases within their borders, but the infectiousness of the coronavirus and the interconnectedness of the Southeast Asia region means that unaffected ASEAN countries could soon see COVID-19 cases.
— The Diplomat
Malaysia shows spirit of Asean solidarity by bringing home Singaporeans, Indonesian
Malaysia has again shown its concern and ability in managing the welfare of its stricken citizens overseas after successfully repatriating 46 people stranded in Tehran, Iran following the Covid-19 pandemic.
— MalayMail
The rise of flexible work arrangements
According to a study by global workspace provider Regus, 73,000 jobs under flexible working arrangements are tipped to be created come 2030.
— The Asean Post
China Readying for Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
China’s Ministry of Commerce has announced that it will continue plans for the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) by the end of the year, as scheduled.
— The Maritime Executive
ASEAN response on COVID-19 under spotlight as crisis deepens
A regional response on the new coronavirus disease outbreak has come under the spotlight as Southeast Asia scrambles to prevent the wider transmission of COVID-19, which has reached eight out of 10 ASEAN member states.
— TheJakarta Post
ASEAN training on biodiversity information sharing tool goes online
The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) and the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) will conduct a three-day online training on the use of the Bioland tool, an online platform designed to help parties to the CBD in the curation and sharing of biodiversity data.
— Philippine Information Agency
Asean training on biodiversity info-sharing tool turns online
The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) and the Asean Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) will conduct a three-day online training on the use of the Bioland tool, an online platform designed to help parties to the CBD in the curation and sharing of biodiversity data.
— Business Mirror
Southeast Asian Laws Target Rise in Cyberbreaches
Not everyone who wanted to buy the bank cards stolen from Southeast Asian owners would pay the same price: The higher the amount of money left on the card, the higher the price.
— VOA
ASEAN Incentives to Counter COVID-19 Impact
Since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, ASEAN nations have seen their supply chains disrupted and experienced economic slowdowns.
— Asean Briefing
ASEAN must uphold human rights in responding to the COVID‐19 pandemic, says FORUM-ASIA
In a joint statement earlier today (20 March), the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), together with the Solidarity for ASEAN Peoples’ Advocacy and the undersigned organisations, expressed grave concerns with the lack of a human rights focus in the current response to the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Members States.
— TOC
ASEAN food security: Corruption, micronutrients and food import dependency region’s biggest
The Global Food Security Index (GFSI) 2019 listing crowned Singapore as the country with the highest food security score worldwide, but closer examination of the index data reveals several pressing concerns, not only for Singapore, but for other ASEAN countries as well.
— Food navigator0asia
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Mark Henry Uy
Virus tops 84 with new cases in S’ville
The Ministry of Health on Sunday night confirmed another 31 cases of coronavirus infections, bringing the Kingdom’s total to 84 and it highest daily tally. There have been no fatalities thus far.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Sa Kaeo closes 19 Cambodian border checkpoints – Covid-19
Despite denials only days ago, all 19 checkpoints in the eastern province of Sa Kaeo, two permanent and 17 temporary, along the border with Cambodia will be temporarily closed in a bid to stem the spread of the Covid-19 coronivirus.
— The Thaiger
Thailand issues new requirements for Cambodian visitors
The Cambodian Embassy in Thailand has informed Cambodian citizens who wish to travel to Thailand they must obtain a health certificate and insurance worth at least $100,000.
— Khmer Times
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
Some 70,000 Indonesians could be infected with COVID-19 before Ramadan, scientists say
If the Indonesian authorities failed to take drastic measures to slow down the spread of COVID-19, the country could have tens of thousands of cases by April, or shortly before Idul the Fitri holiday, scientists have warned.
— The Jakarta Post
Six Indonesian Doctors Die from Covid-19, Cases Exceed 500
The Indonesian Doctors Association, or IDI, confirmed on Sunday that its six members had died from Covid-19 amid a worrisome trend that the fatality rate of the highly contagious virus continues to beat recoveries in the archipelago.
— Jakarta Globe
Death toll from COVID-19 rises to 48
The death toll from COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia rose to 48 on Sunday, while the number of positive cases increased by 64, bringing the total to 514 cases, the government’s spokesman for COVID-19 handling, Achmad Yurianto. said.
— Antara News
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Mark Henry Uy
Laos Enters De Facto Lockdown Amid Global Coronavirus Outbreak
Laos is poised to enter a de facto lockdown as borders, entry and exit points begin to close across the country, with Lao citizens prohibited from leaving.
— The Laotian TImes
Thai-Lao bridge in Nakhon Phanom to close from Sunday night
The 3rd Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge across the Mekong river linking this northeastern Thai province with Khammouane province in Laos will be closed from 10pm on Sunday as a precaution against Covid-19.
— Bangkok Post
Laos to Punish Opportunists who Stockpile Goods under New Covid-19 Measures
Laos is to take “strict action” against any opportunist who withholds or stockpiles goods, especially basic necessities, in an effort to tackle social disturbances during the global Covid-19 outbreak.
— The Laotian TImes
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysia Reports 123 New Coronavirus Cases, Total at 1,306
Malaysia reported 123 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, taking the total to 1,306 cases, with 10 deaths.
— US News
Give 10 million donated face masks to Malaysians, says Kit Siang
The government has been urged to distribute the 10 million face masks from China free to Malaysians, giving priority to the frontliners in the war against Covid-19 virus.
— The Sun Daily
Covid-19: How many small Malaysian businesses, jobs will be lost?
COVID-19 kills people and fuels fear. It cripples businesses and shrinks bank accounts.
— New Straits Times
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Myanmar suspends e-visas and visas on arrival amid coronavirus pandemic
The Myanmar government has stopped issuing visas on arrival and e-visas for all visitors until the end of April as it ramps up its efforts to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
— Myanmar-now
Border checkpoints in Tak to close from Monday
TAK: All checkpoints in this northern border province along the border with Myanmar will be closed to people and vehicles – with an exception for vehicles transporting goods and their crew – from Monday, March 23, until further notice, governor Ansit Sampantharat said on Sunday.
— Bangkok Post
Myanmar parliament votes to seek $10m grant from IDA for health ministry
Myanmar parliament members debated a motion this week forwarded from the President’s Office to acquire $10 million from the International Development Association (IDA) for the Ministry of Health and Sports, according to local media.
— Mizzima
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
alace denies social media rumors Duterte will quarantine Philippines
Malacañang on Sunday said there was no truth to rumors circulating on social media that President Rodrigo Duterte will impose a nationwide lockdown next week to address the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat in the Philippines.
— GMA Network
Philippine banks roll-out relief to ease COVID-19 financial pain
Banks across the Philippines have begun rolling out a range of measures aimed at easing the financial pain the COVID-19 outbreak is causing households under government imposed lockdowns.
— AEC News Today
530 UST Hospital staff quarantined over COVID-19 exposure
Over 500 staff of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Hospital were quarantined after they were exposed to positive cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the hospital administration said.
— GMA Network
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
No entry or transit through Singapore for all short-term visitors amid heightened risk of imported COVID-19 cases: MOH
Singapore will not allow short-term visitors to enter or transit through the country in view of the heightened risk of importation of COVID-19 cases, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Sunday (Mar 22).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
S’pore sees first two Covid-19 deaths
Two Covid-19 patients died at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) yesterday morning due to complications, the first deaths Singapore has seen from the coronavirus that has taken over 10,000 lives globally.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Food insecurity: left starving in a foodie paradise (video)
Unsightly issues such as food insecurity and hunger have been left in shadows of Singapore’s strictly regulated and orderly social structure.
— AEC News Today
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Tens of thousands of people leave Bangkok after millions temporarily laid off due to Covid19
Earlier this month Thai authorities made the difficult and historic decision to postpone Songkran due to the Covid-19 Coronavirus threat and fear of it spreading if hundreds of thousands of people went home to the rural Northern provinces.
— The Pattaya News
Thailand plans up to B100bn liquidity support fund amid pandemic
Thailand on Sunday introduced measures that include a liquidity support fund worth 70 billion to 100 billion baht to reduce risk in the debt market amid the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand reports 188 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday
Thailand reported a single day jump of 188 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the country’s total so far to 599, with most of the new cases concentrated in Bangkok.
— Thai PBS News
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
COVID-19 infection cases in Vietnam reach 113 as of March 22
The Ministry of Health on late March 22 confirmed seven new COVID-19 infection cases, raising the total number in Vietnam to 113.
— VietnamPlus
COVID-19 Guidance for Vietnam-law Employers: Remuneration Focus
COVID-19 undoubtedly has impacted your business or workforce in some way. The past period has been full of challenges for all employers as we all.
— Lexology
US, EU not restrict imports of goods from Vietnam
Amid the information that the EU and the US shut down borders to immigration and medical quarantine and will also halt the import and export of goods, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) on March 21 informed that the EU and the US do not apply any measures to restrict the import of goods from Vietnam.
— Sggp News
See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news
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About Asean morning news.
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