These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
Get up to speed with what’s happening in the fastest growing region in the world.
Coronavirus epidemic 'far from over' in Asia - WHO
The coronavirus epidemic is “far from over” in the Asia-Pacific region, and current measures to curb the spread of the virus are buying time for countries to prepare for large-scale community transmissions, a WHO official said on Tuesday.
Even with all the measures, the risk of transmission in the region will not go away as long as the pandemic continues, said Takeshi Kasai, Regional Director for the Western Pacific at the World Health Organization (WHO).
The new coronavirus first surfaced in central China in late 2019. Infections have now exceeded 770,000 cases worldwide, with the United States, Italy and Spain overtaking mainland China in confirmed cases. – The New Straits Times
COVID-19 pandemic will erase gains, may see 11 million driven into poverty in East Asia and Pacific: World Bank
In a bad case scenario, East Asia and the Pacific could see up to 11 million people driven into poverty, with low wage and informal sector workers the most vulnerable, the World Bank warns in a report on the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The World Bank calculated two different scenarios for the region - a "baseline" referring to severe growth slowdown followed by a strong recovery, and a "lower-case" or a deeper contraction followed by a sluggish recovery. – The Straits Times
Myanmar reports first COVID-19 death: 69-year old cancer patient
A 69-year-old man who tested positive for COVID-19 has died.
The patient died at 7:25 am, March 31, at Wai Bar Gyi Hospital in Yangon, according to the Medical Service Department, the Ministry of Health and Sports (MOHS). – The Myanmar Times
COVID-19: Bali declares state of emergency as cases climb, local transmission detected
Bali has declared a state of emergency by imposing stricter measures on visitors in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 as cases continue to climb with local transmission detected.
With the status, the famous resort island will tighten checks at entrance gates and enforce a 14-day self-quarantine for all people entering the island, the Bali administration’s regional secretary Dewa Made Indra said. – The Jakarta Post
90% cut in travel targeted
The government has come up with a goal to cut public journeys by as much as 90% in order to "flatten the curve" of new coronavirus infections.
The plan was proposed by army chief Gen Apirat Kongsomgpong at Monday's meeting of the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration(CCSA), according to CCSA spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin. – Bangkok Post