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HEALTH-VIRUS-ASIA, POINTS-NEWSERIES
Asia virus latest: Olympics postponed, India under lockdown
SINGAPORE, March 25, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Here are the latest developments in
Asia related to the novel coronavirus pandemic:
– Olympics delay –
After days of mounting pressure, Tokyo 2020 organisers bowed to the
inevitable and postponed the Games to next year due to the rapidly-spreading
outbreak.
Now Japan faces the unenviable task of re-organising the event — with
every aspect thrown into chaos, from venues to security and accommodation.
– Indians race for essentials as lockdown starts –
Anxious Indians raced for essentials as an unprecedented 21-day lockdown
across the nation of 1.3 billion people all but emptied normally traffic-
choked roads.
Many shelves in the megacities of New Delhi and Mumbai were stripped bare
of staples like lentils and rice as the world’s second most populous country
lurched into a shutdown aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus.
Printing of newspapers stopped in some places amid fears they could spread
the virus, while residents in some housing developments blocked paper sellers
from entering the premises.
– China lifts curbs, panda centre reopens –
China lifted tough restrictions on the province at the epicentre of the
coronavirus outbreak after a months-long lockdown, as the country reported no
new domestic cases.
But there were another 47 imported infections from overseas, the National
Health Commission said, as the number of cases brought into the country
continued to swell.
A research and breeding facility for giant pandas reopened in southwest
Sichuan province two months after closing due to the coronavirus, the
official Xinhua news agency reported.
– Markets soar on US stimulus deal –
Asian markets enjoyed another day of gains as the US Senate and White House
reached a deal on a $2 trillion stimulus package for the economy and millions
of Americans hit hard by the coronavirus crisis.
Markets have suffered huge falls in recent weeks as the spreading pandemic
stokes fears of a global recession.
– New Zealand PM assumes emergency powers –
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern assumed sweeping emergency powers ahead of a
four-week lockdown beginning at midnight Wednesday, and immediately ramped up
border controls to allow detention of overseas arrivals.
Authorities now have the power to seal off areas and detain people to
ensure self-isolation rules are followed. Ardern in theory has the power to
amend any legislation at will — but said she intended to remain accountable.
– Cruise controversies –
Cruise ships have seen some major outbreaks, and Australian officials are
refusing to let three liners stranded off the west coast land to avoid
repeating the “utter disaster” of a previous cruise-related coronavirus
surge.
Meanwhile the Diamond Princess, a coronavirus-hit cruise ship off Japan
that saw 712 passengers and crew contracting the disease with 10 deaths, left
its moorings in Yokohama, a city official said.
– Bali’s ‘Day of Silence’ hit by virus fears –
Bali’s “Day of Silence” was even quieter than usual this year as
coronavirus fears prompted authorities to scale back an annual celebration
that sees the Hindu-majority island in Indonesia come to a near standstill.
Colourful street parades that usually accompany the “Nyepi” festival, which
sees many people stay at home for 24 hours to reflect, were drastically
reduced.
– Taiwan anger over China drills during outbreak –
Anger is rising in Taiwan over China continuing to buzz the island with
fighter jets and warships even as they both fight the global coronavirus
pandemic.
The incursions have sparked anger on Taiwanese social media, with some even
calling for the Chinese planes to be shot down.
– Malaysia extends lockdown –
The government extended tough restrictions aimed at combating the spread of
the virus until April 14, as infections surged by 172 to 1,796, the highest
figure in Southeast Asia. Nineteen people have died.
– Maldives virtual parliament –
Parliamentary sessions in the tropical island paradise will go online from
Monday as part of “social distancing” efforts, with 87 lawmakers connecting
via Microsoft Teams.
BSS/AFP/IJ/1710 hrs