A worker fumigates the pavement in Jakarta, Indonesia, on March 19 in a bid to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – As COVID-19 concerns are growing,many countries in Asia have made stronger actions in efforts to contain thepandemic.
On March 23, Indonesia’s Jakarta capital closedcinemas and other entertainment venues to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2, thevirus that causes COVID-19.
A spokesperson of the Indonesian National Policenoted this country also deployed 465,000 police officers nationwide to disperseany public gatherings “for the sake of public safety”.
Meanwhile, Indonesian President Joko Widodo saiddoctors and other medical staff would receive bonuses ranging from 5 millionrupiah to 15 million rupiah (300 – 900 USD) per month in regions that have declaredan emergency.
In Myanmar, local media reported that itsMinistry for Health and Sports has urged the country’s migrant workersreturning from Thailand to self-quarantine as it doesn’t have sufficientinfrastructure to quarantine a large number of people at the same time.
Union Minister for Health and Sports Myint Htweadvised them to stay at home for 14 days to prevent spread of the viraldisease among their communities and to report respective healthcare centresevery day during this period.
In Malaysia, this country will considerextending its movement control order (MCO), which is set to expire on March 31.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the National Security Council will makeconsideration according to effects of the MCO, which began on March 18.
He cited police as reporting that nearly 90percent of the population have complied with the MCO, hoping this rate willreach 100 percent.
According to him, the Malaysian Governmentdecided to add 600 million ringgits to purchase medical equipment and materialsand recruit more healthcare workers to cope with COVID-19.
On March 23, Malaysia recorded 212 COVID-19 cases, bringing the country’s totalto 1,518. This is the highest number of new cases recorded in a day. Thepandemic has so far killed 14 people in Malaysia./.
VNA
