Asean morning news for March 26, 2020

Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

COVID-19 in Asean: update for March 25 — regional cases top 4,000; global deaths breach 2,000 per day
As of 01:47 GMT March 25 there was 4,005 active cases of COVID-19 throughout the 10 Asean member countries, an increase of 313 on the day prior.
— AEC News Today

Medical supplies shortage in ASEAN
China’s central Hubei province, where the COVID-19 virus first emerged late last year, is to lift curbs after two months under lockdown, local officials told the media.
— The Asean Post

Economic diplomacy: Fighting global pandemics from the G20 to ASEAN
The online summit between the leaders of Singapore and Australia on Monday didn’t get much attention amid a stock market meltdown and tensions within Australia’s newly formed federal-state leadership Cabinet to deal with coronavirus.
— Lowy Institute / theinterpreter

JP Morgan: Malaysia’s Covid-19 strategy far exceeds Asean, some European peers
The government’s actions are proving effective in curbing the spread and intensity of the Covid-19 pandemic, US investment bank JP Morgan says.
— New Straits Times

ASEAN Para games pushed to October
The country’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Para Games has been postponed once again due to the same reason with other sporting events – the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country.
— Panay News

Can-do attitude: beWater plans ASEAN expansion in bid to reduce plastic waste problem
Vietnam-based craft beverage company Winking Seal Beer Co is planning a regional launch for its more ‘environmentally-friendly’ canned water product, beWater.
— Food navigator-asia

All travellers arriving in Singapore to receive Stay-Home Notice requirements in advance
ALL travellers arriving in Singapore, including Singapore citizens, permanent residents and Long-Term Pass holders, must submit a health declaration before proceeding with immigration clearance, said the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in a statement on Wednesday.
— The Business Times

Foreigners banned from entering Thailand, with a few exceptions
Since the Thai PM updated yesterday’s decree, announcing that the State of Emergency will start from tonight, midnight, he has since started rolling out additional details.
— The Thaiger

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Mark Henry Uy

Hun Sen Contemplating State of Emergency
Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday announced that he is contemplating requesting the King to declare a state of emergency. His claims he is yet to make a decision, but admits it is a possibility.
— Cambodianess

Six New COVID-19 Cases; Four from Already-Quarantined Viking Journey Cruise
The Cambodian government confirmed six new coronavirus cases in the country; two additional cases from a French tour group in Sihanoukville and four from the Viking Journey Cruise, whose passengers were quarantined two weeks ago.
— VOA Khmer

Small Country, Big Heart: Cambodia Announces Free Treatment for All Covid-19 Patients
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, as Chairman of the National Committee for Combatting Covid-19, announced to offer free treatment to any patient of Covid-19, local and foreign.
— Fresh News

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews

Indonesia’s health system on the brink as coronavirus surge looms
Indonesia has a significant deficit in hospital beds, medical staff and intensive care facilities as health experts warn that it is primed to become a new epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, according to data reviewed by Reuters.
— Reuters

Indonesia records 790 COVID-19 positive cases, 58 deaths
Taskforce for Acceleration of COVID-19 Response recorded 790 people having tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), of which 58 died and one recovered since the government’s announcement of Indonesia’s first coronavirus case on March 2, 2020.
— Antara News

Bold actions needed to revitalise Indonesian economy
In the late 1990s the Indonesian economy was in the midst of one of the deepest economic crises in recent global history.
— AEC News Today

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Mark Henry Uy

Third infection case confirmed
Deputy Minister of Health Phouthone Meuangpak confirmed today another infection case, taking the total to 3.
— KPL

Ministry updates self-quarantine rules, violators to be punished
The Ministry of Health has updated its self-quarantine guidelines in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, and all people entering Laos must strictly follow these rules or face fines in accordance with the law.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Health authorities outline ongoing measures against Covid-19
Laos has been preparing medical teams to prevent a widespread outbreak of Covid-19, and more control measures are expected in the wake of confirmed cases, according to a leading health official.
— Vientiane Times

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Malaysia COVID-19 death toll rises to 20; 172 new cases reported
A total of 172 new COVID-19 cases were reported on Wednesday (Mar 25), bringing the total number of cases in Malaysia to 1,796 since the start of the outbreak, while the total number of deaths rose by four to 20.
— Channel NewsAsia

Banks express support for BNM’s move freeze loan repayments
The Association of Banks in Malaysia expressed support for Bank Negara Malaysia’s directive for a six-month moratorium on all loan repayments due to the unique challenges face by the country stemming from the Covid-19.
— Malay Mail

Johor rolls out additional RM17.5m aid in response to Covid-19 shutdown extension (VIDEO)
In light of the nationwide movement control order (MCO) extension to April 14, the Johor government has announced incentives worth RM17.5 million which are expected to have a positive impact on the state.
— Malay Mail

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Myanmar confirms third case of COVID-19
The health ministry announced on Tuesday another confirmed COVID-19 case in the country, the third in two days.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar Central Bank Cuts Interest Rates Another 1% to Aid Economy
The Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) has dropped interest rates by an additional 1 percent as the country’s economy has slowed due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
— Irrawaddy

Border Gate Forced to Open as Myanmar Migrant Workers Leave Thailand Amid COVID-19
Thailand and Myanmar were forced to open the second Mae Sot-Myawaddy Friendship Bridge after thousands of migrants workers flocked to Mae Sot to return to Myanmar on Tuesday, despite the COVID-19 restrictions.
— Irrawaddy

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

‘Worst is yet to come unless DOH, FDA act with urgency’ says Lacson
Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday, March 25, said that the Department of Health and the Food and Drugs Administration must act with urgency to flatten the coronavirus curve in the country.
— Rappler

PhilHealth enhances package rates for COVID-19 patients
With the surge of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) confirmed cases and the number of Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) admitted in the hospitals nationwide, the Philippine Health Insurance Coporation (PhilHealth) has enhanced its package rates related to corona virus infections particularly the isolation and referral.
— Philippine Information Agency

Philippines assures hassle-free departure of stranded foreigners due to Luzon quarantine
Foreign nationals who wish to leave the Philippines amid the Luzon-wide quarantine should be allowed to do so without “any impediment,” the government body overseeing measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 said.
— GMA Network

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews

Coronavirus: Singapore and Malaysia align protocols for border screening, return of travellers exhibiting symptoms
The two countries agreed on applying the same cut-off of 37.5 deg C for the definition of travellers with a fever at the second meeting of the Singapore-Malaysia joint working group.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Coronavirus: Record 73 new cases; fresh cluster of 18 cases at Fengshan pre-school
Singapore yesterday confirmed a new daily high of 73 coronavirus cases, while a new cluster of 18 cases has emerged at the PAP Community Foundation (PCF) Sparkletots centre at Fengshan Block 126.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Prayut wants Thais to prepare for the worst, asks for trust in his leadership
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha told the Thai people on Wednesday to expect the worst in the next several weeks or months as the coronavirus continues to ravage the country and as more stringent measures being imposed are going to affect their daily lives.
— Thai PBS News

Thailand reports 107 new COVID-19 cases, including two doctors
The Thai Public Health Ministry reported 107 new COVID-19 cases today (Wednesday), including two medical professionals, bringing the total confirmed infections in the country to 934, including six medical personnel.
— Thai PBS News

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Vietnam says 141 confirmed cases of coronavirus in country, no deaths
Vietnam’s health ministry reported an additional seven coronavirus cases on Wednesday, taking the Southeast Asian country’s tally to 141, though it reported no deaths.
— Channel NewsAsia

Vietnam stops exporting rice from March 24 on Covid-19
The General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) has requested local customs authorities to stop export clearance process for rice from March 24, local media reported.
— Hanoi Times

VNG Contributes 5 BIllion Dong to Vietnam COVID-19 Prevention Fund
VNG Corporation has disclosed to contribute 5 billion dong for Vietnam COVID-19 Prevention Fund.
— Yahoo News

See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news

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