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Asia virus latest: No China growth target; Olympic warning
SINGAPORE, May 22, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Here are the latest developments
in Asia related to the coronavirus pandemic:
– No annual growth target for virus-hit China, a first in years –
China’s communist rulers avoided setting an annual growth target
for the first time in decades, as they struggle to deal with the
“immense” economic challenges caused by the pandemic.
Analysts say the move points to China missing its key political
goal of doubling GDP from 2010 levels, a blow to the ruling party’s
pledge to provide prosperity in exchange for unquestioned political
power.
– Olympics official sees ‘real problems’ in holding Games in 2021 –
A senior Olympics official has warned that holding the postponed
Tokyo Games next year faces “real problems”, with even a vaccine
unlikely to stave off the threat of the coronavirus.
John Coates, the International Olympic Committee’s pointman for
Tokyo 2020, indicated that officials would start deciding in October
if and how the Games could go ahead in July 2021.
– Australia extends cruise ship ban –
Australia extended its ban on most international cruise ships for
three months until mid-September, making no mention of a hoped-for
exemption for travel to neighbouring New Zealand.
The ban applies to any cruise liner capable of carrying more than
100 passengers, the Australian Border Force said in a statement.
– No kissing the bride as Sri Lanka lifts wedding ban –
Sri Lanka lifted a ban on wedding receptions as part of easing
coronavirus restrictions, but health authorities said grooms may not
kiss the bride — at least in public.
Other guests too were barred from kissing, hugging or even shaking
hands as part of new guidelines under which weddings and other
receptions are allowed in areas where curfews are relaxed.
MORE/MRU/1720hrs
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– India central bank slashes rates, warns of contraction –
India’s central bank slashed interest rates in an effort to contain
the economic fallout of the world’s largest coronavirus lockdown and
warned the economy could contract this year.
Even before almost all activity shut down in late March, Asia’s
third-largest economy was struggling to gain traction with sluggish
growth, record unemployment and banks reluctant to lend.
– Singapore cases jump above 30,000 –
Singapore reported 614 new virus cases, taking its total to 30,426
including 23 deaths, with the vast majority of infections linked to
dormitories housing low-paid foreign workers.
The city-state initially managed to keep its outbreak in check but
was hit by a fast-moving second wave of cases mainly centred on the
dorms.
– Myanmar editor jailed for two years for virus error –
A Myanmar news editor has been jailed for two years after his
agency reported a coronavirus death that turned out to be false, his
lawyer said.
Chief editor Zaw Ye Htet was arrested May 13, the same day his
online news agency Dae Pyaw published an erroneous article alleging
there had been a COVID-19 death in eastern Karen state.
– Eid shopping rush across Asia despite virus risk –
Muslims across Asia have packed out markets as they prepare for the
annual Eid al-Fitr holiday, ignoring coronavirus guidelines even as
infections rise.
The celebration, the most important in the Muslim calendar marking
the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, is preceded by a rush to
buy new clothes, gifts and sweet treats for loved ones.
– Afghan cyclist in ‘door-to-door’ campaign –
Afghan cyclist Idrees Syawash is determined to help curb the spread
of the coronavirus, so he pedals across rural areas encouraging people
to wear masks and wash their hands.
“When coronavirus came to Afghanistan, I went to some villages and
saw that people were not aware of it at all,” Syawash, 27, told AFP as
he travelled across the eastern province of Nangarhar this week.
“I decided to use my bicycle… to launch a door-to-door awareness
campaign.”
BSS/AFP/MRU/1720hrs