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Tuesday, March 24, 2020, 23:15
India under 21-day lockdown, Thailand to declare emergency
By Agencies
Tuesday, March 24, 2020, 23:15 By Agencies

A woman walks along a deserted street during a government-imposed lockdown as a preventive measure against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Siliguri on March 24, 2020. (DIPTENDU DUTTA / AFP)

WELLINGTON / YANGON / DUBAI / BANGKOK/RIYADH Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday the government would impose a nationwide lockdown from midnight for 21 days to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

“There will be a total ban on venturing out of your homes,” Modi said in a televised address.

India has so far reported 482 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and nine deaths.

Police enforced lockdowns across large parts of India on Tuesday, with curfews in some places, as health officials warned that the coronavirus was spreading out of big cities where it first appeared into the small towns that dot the landscape.

Health researchers have warned that more than a million people in India could be infected with the coronavirus by mid-May.

India has already severed international flight links and domestic air services will stop at midnight in a bid to halt the spread.

Thailand

Thailand will be in an emergency mode from March 26 for a month to deal with the coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha told a news conference on Tuesday.

The emergency decree will mean the prime minister will have the executive power to declare further measures to contain the virus, including giving extra authority to officials and allowing the setting up of checkpoints to reduce people movements, Prayuth said.

Thailand’s cabinet approved on Tuesday a package of stimulus measures worth at least 117 billion baht (US$3.56 billion) to try and mitigate the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

The measures include cash handouts worth 45 billion baht for 3 million workers outside the social security system, who will also be offered soft loans worth 60 billion baht as well as tax breaks, government officials told a news conference.

Separately, small firms will be offered 10 billion baht of loans while the government will also delay business tax payments for companies to help boost their liquidity.

Thailand reported on Tuesday 106 new coronavirus cases and 3 more deaths, taking the total to 827 cases and 4 deaths.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has recorded its first death from the coronavirus in a 51-year-old Afghani resident, Health Ministry spokesman Mohammed Abdelali told a televised news conference on Tuesday.

The man’s health deteriorated quickly after reporting to a hospital emergency room in the city of Medina and he died on Monday night, Abdelali said.

A woman wearing a face mask selects whole fish at a supermarket in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, March 23, 2020. (VINCENT THIAN / AP)

Malaysia

Malaysia is ramping up coronavirus tests in preparation for the “worst scenario”, as it grapples with Southeast Asia’s highest number of infections, a health ministry official told Reuters.

Malaysia’s tally of infections has jumped six-fold in just ten days to more than 1,500. 

By the end of the week, Malaysia will double daily testing capacity to 7,000, before stepping that up to 16,500 by the first week of April, the official, Noor Hisham Abdullah, said.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan's Public Health Ministry on Tuesday reported two more confirmed cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 42 since the outbreak of the disease in mid-February.

"One new COVID-19 infection was registered in northern Samangan province and another was reported in eastern Logar province," Wahidullah Mayar spokesman of the ministry said in a statement.

Australia 

Australia's Parliament has voted to pass about A$84 billion (about US$49 billion) in economic stimulus measures on Monday in response to the outbreak of coronavirus.

The Opposition Labor and the governing Coalition also agreed to set aside an extra A$40 billion (US$23.3 billion) for urgent unforeseen spending associated with the pandemic.

The Australian Defence Force is temporarily relocating non-essential personnel from Iraq and Afghanistan. 

New South Wales state, of which Sydney is the capital, will use harsh penalties to enforce self-isolation, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Tuesday, as the coronavirus pandemic was at a “critical stage.”

The country on Tuesday reported a spike in new infections after 130 passengers disembarked from the Ruby Princess curise ship had tested positive.

As at 3:00pm on Tuesday, there have been 2,136 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia with 427 new cases since 3:00pm yesterday. 

READ MORE: Fears grow of spread as Syria confirms first virus case

Bangladesh 

The Bangladeshi government on Tuesday announced to restrict public transport across the country till April 4 from March 26 amid efforts to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.

Truck, covered van and vehicles carrying medicines, fuel and perishable items will not come under the purview.

Earlier in the day, the authorities announced that all passenger trains and ferry services would be halted from Tuesday until further notice to prevent the COVID-19 from spreading locally.

The government declared a public holiday on Monday from March 26 to April 4 except for entities providing essential services.

The shutdown will not affect emergency services and kitchen markets will stay open as usual. 

Monday saw another COVID-19 death in the country, taking the toll to three, as the number of reported infections also rose to 33 cases. 

Fiji 

Fiji confirmed on Tuesday its fourth case of COVID-19 in a 28-year-old Fijian man who is not related to the first three cases.

The patient took a flight to Fiji on Saturday from Australia without showing any symptoms of COVID-19. He was advised by health officials at the airport to go straight home and self-quarantine for 14 days.

Indonesia

Indonesia on Tuesday confirmed 107 new coronavirus cases, the biggest daily increase to date in the Southeast Asian country, bringing the total number of cases to 686, Health Ministry official Achmad Yurianto said on Tuesday.

Seven more people had died of the disease as of Tuesday, bringing the total number of deaths to 55, he said, adding 30 people had recovered from the virus.

Iran

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday about half of all government employees were staying at home as part of measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak, state TV reported.

Iran's death toll from the coronavirus outbreak increased by 122 in the past 24 hours to 1,934, Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said on Tuesday.

The total number of people diagnosed with the disease increased by 1,762 in the past 24 hours, to 24,811, he added on state TV.

Iraq 

Iraqi Health Ministry on Monday confirmed three more deaths from COVID-19 and 33 new cases, bringing the total number of the infected to 266.

The new cases included seven in the capital Baghdad, 12 in Sulaimaniyah, 10 in Erbil, two in Najaf and one in the provinces of Basra and Nineveh, the ministry said in a statement.

The Iraqi authorities took several measures to contain the outbreak of coronavirus, including imposing a nationwide curfew until March 28.

A woman wearing a face mask against the coronavirus walks along on a nearly empty shopping street in Seoul, South Korea, March 22, 2020. (PHOTO / AP)

Israel

The number of novel coronavirus cases in Israel has risen to 1,656, the Israeli Ministry of Health said Tuesday.

According to the ministry, 31 patients are in serious condition and 47 in moderate condition.

An 88-year-old Israeli man has died of coronavirus, the first death case in Israel. 

ALSO READ: Japan to require travelers from US to self-quarantine for 14 days

Japan 

Infectious disease experts guiding the Japanese government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak sounded the alarm on Tuesday that people are not taking the threat seriously.

Over the three-day holiday this past weekend, Tokyo’s public parks were full of people at cherry blossom-viewing parties while the K-1 kickboxing organization held matches before 6,500 fans at the Saitama Super Arena.

Separately, a senior ruling party official said on Tuesday that Japan's economic stimulus package to beat the fallout from the coronavirus outbreak should include cash payouts, distribution of coupons, and other measures that give a direct boost to consumption.

As of 11:00 pm Tuesday the total number of people infected with COVID19 stood at 1,141 and the death toll in currently stands at a total of 52 people, with the figure including those from the virus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship. 

Jordan

Jordan said on Monday it would extend a curfew indefinitely and promised it would begin to deliver food and essential goods across the country to homes during a tight lockdown to try to rein in the spread of the coronavirus.

The authorities worry lifting the curfew for a few hours for people would create panic buying and hoarding of supplies that would risk the accelerating spread of the virus.

Confirmed cases of the illness caused by the novel coronavirus in the country of 10 million have steadily risen within a week to 127 people from six. There have been no deaths.

Kuwait 

Kuwait reported two new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 191, the Health Ministry announced Tuesday.

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan declared a state of emergency on Tuesday in its three biggest cities, including the capital Bishkek, a move that will allow authorities to lock them down after the number of coronavirus cases more than doubled in the Central Asian nation.

In Bishkek in particular, the measures will include a 2000-0700 curfew, city commandant and deputy interior minister Alik Orozaliyev told an online briefing.

The nation said on Tuesday it has confirmed 42 cases of coronavirus infections, up from just 16 a day earlier.

Also on Tuesday, the Kyrgyz government ordered all of its employees to start working from home.

Laos

Laos has detected first two confirmed COVID-19 cases after Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and other authorities visited facilities prepared for the virus outbreak.

According to the officials led by Deputy Health Minister Phouthone Moungpak, the two confirmed cases, both Lao nationals, included a 28-year-old male hotel worker and a 36-year-old female tour guide, both in the capital Vientiane.

The public, including foreign nationals in Laos, suspected by medical personnel of carrying COVID-19 will be tested free of charge, according to a Lao health official.

Thousands of Lao people, mostly workers, have returned home across Thai-Lao borders before the temporary closure to prevent the spread of the disease.

Lebanon

Lebanon's Health Ministry reported on Monday evening an increase in COVID-19 infections by 11 new cases to 267.

Also on Monday, Lebanon's Central Bank issued a circular asking local banks and financial institutions to extend loans to clients who have credit facilities and are unable to meet their obligations during March, April and May 2020, amid the outbreak of COVID-19.

Myanmar

Myanmar's Foreign Affairs Ministry on Tuesday required all incoming travellers to undergo a 14-day quarantine with effect from Wednesday after the country reported its first confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Chin state and Yangon region late Monday.

The two Myanmar nationals, who recently returned from the United States and Britain, respectively, tested positive for COVID-19.

New Zealand 

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern urged New Zealanders on Tuesday to reduce contacts to a bare minimum to help fight the coronavirus, as the country prepared for a one-month lockdown.

Parliament will sit on Wednesday to impose the state of emergency and lockdown, she said.

Under the lockdown, people can go out for a walk or take their children out but they have to keep a distance of 2 metres from others. They can also go to supermarkets.

Retail banks will offer a six-month principal and interest payment holiday for mortgage holders and small business customers whose incomes have been affected by the economic disruption from COVID-19.

The government and the banks will also implement a NZ$6.25 billion (US$3.62 billion) business finance guarantee scheme for small and medium-sized businesses, to protect jobs and support the economy through this unprecedented time, Finance Minister Grant Robertson told a news conference.

The country on Tuesday confirmed that it has 40 new cases of coronavirus, taking the number of confirmed and probable cases infected with the virus to 155.

A family packs its shopping into their car in a supermarket in central Christchurch, New Zealand, March 23, 2020. (MARK BAKER / AP)

Oman

Oman registered 11 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 66, the health ministry announced on Monday.

Nine of the cases are Omani citizens who traveled recently while two others are expatriates, according to a health ministry statement.

Oman's government appealed to citizens to observe the quarantine procedures, avoid public gatherings or places of worship, and ensure public hygiene.

Pakistan

Pakistan on Monday announced to lock down east Punjab province hours after locking down south Sindh province to curb the spread of COVID-19 after the number of infected patients rose above 800 across the country, officials said.

All markets and shopping malls except grocery shops and medical stores will remain closed in Punjab during the two-week lockdown period from March 24 to April 6, Chief Minister of the province Usman Buzdar said in a press briefing.

Palestine

The total number of Palestinians infected with COVID-19 has reached 60, with 58 in the West Bank and two in the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian official announced Tuesday.

Singapore

Singapore will close bars and entertainment venues including discos and cinemas among new measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the health ministry said on Tuesday.

The regulations - including limits on gatherings outside work and school to 10 persons or fewer - will take effect from 11:59 pm local time on March 26, and will be in place at least until April 30, the ministry added.

Singapore confirmed 49 new cases of the infection on Tuesday, taking its tally to 558. The country reported its first two fatalities from the virus on Saturday.

The Singaporean government will be donating US$500,000 to support the WHO's Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP) for COVID-19, which aims to limit human-to-human transmission of the virus.

Singapore Airlines will cut capacity by 96 percent, ground almost its entire fleet and impose cost cuts affecting about 10,000 staff because of coronavirus travel curbs it described as the “greatest challenge” it has ever faced.

South Korea

Moon Jae-in said on Tuesday the government will double a planned rescue package to contain mounting economic and financial fallout from the coronavirus to 100 trillion won (US$80 billion).

The government will expand policy financing loans for small- to medium-sized companies, help them keep jobs, and inject liquidity into financial markets by buying corporate bonds.

South Korea reported 76 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, maintaining a downward trend in new infections whereas taking the tally to 9,037. The death toll rose by two to 120.

It marked the 13th day in a row the country has posted new infections of around 100 or less. 

Syria 

The spread of coronavirus to Syria brings the prospect of a deadly outbreak to a population devastated by nine years of war, with ravaged hospitals and tightly-packed camps likely to accelerate infection, doctors and aid workers said on Monday.

The Syrian government announced on Sunday its first case after unconfirmed reports suggested the virus had been detected. 

A member of Yangon City Development Committee sprays disinfectant at a market during a public awareness for prevention of the novel coronavirus in Yangon, Myanmar, March 21, 2020. (PHOTO / AP)

The Philippines

The Philippine health ministry on Tuesday confirmed 39 new cases of the coronavirus, bringing the country’s total to 501.

The number of patients who have died from the virus is 33. There were 19 people who have recovered from the infection, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told reporters.

Turkey

Turkey imposed restrictions on Tuesday on grocery store opening hours and numbers of shop customers and bus passengers, adding to steps to combat the spread of the coronavirus after the country’s death toll from the illness rose to 37.

Ankara has already closed schools, cafes and bars, banned mass prayers and indefinitely postponed matches in its main sports leagues, as well suspending flights to many countries as it looks to limit the spread of the virus.

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced the new death toll overnight and said the number of confirmed cases rose by 293 on Monday to 1,529, with a total of more than 24,000 tests carried out on people. 

On Monday evening, the health minister said that Turkey will hire 32,000 more medical staff and has ordered rapid testing kits from China, as well as medicine that he said has been used to treat coronavirus patients. 

UAE

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways said on Monday that effective immediately only citizens of the United Arab Emirates or diplomats will be able to board its flights from overseas destinations and only if their final destination is Abu Dhabi, the airline said on twitter.

The UAE is suspending all passenger flights for two weeks from Wednesday to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Vietnam

Restaurants in Vietnam’s business hub, Ho Chi Minh City, must close until March 31 to help curb the spread of the coronavirus, the city’s ruling body said on Tuesday.

Vietnam's Ministry of Health on Monday night announced that two more people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, bringing the total confirmed cases in the country to 123. The two new cases are both Vietnamese.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Monday ordered all non-essential services, especially catering and karaoke, to be shut down in order to minimize gatherings, adding that gatherings must also be avoided in funerals and weddings as well as in places of worshipping, Vietnam News Agency reported. 

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