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.
Public healthcare institutions waive delivery fees for prescription meds
Public healthcare institutions are waiving delivery fees for patients on prescription medication, as more stay at home amid the Covid-19 outbreak. The Straits Times understands that the free delivery currently offered by healthcare institutions under the National Healthcare Group (NHG), SingHealth and National University Health System may be extended until Singapore's disease outbreak response level is downgraded from "orange". Delivery costs range from $4 to around $20, depending on the volume and speed. The Health Ministry said that more than 43,500 deliveries were made from public healthcare institutions between April 1 and April 18, more than five times the 7,600 deliveries made in January. – The Straits Times
UM students to be home by this week
The process of sending all stranded Universiti Malaya students back to their hometowns is expected to be completed at the latest by the end of this week. Universiti Malaya Vice-Chancellor Datuk Dr Abdul Rahim Hashim said arrangements to send the students home had been finalised and the university had about 200 students who have filled up applications to return to their hometowns. "The first batch will leave tomorrow (Monday), and we will find out if there are more students who wish to go back to their hometowns, such as those living outside campuses. "We expect them to be sent home at the latest by the end of this week, if not sooner, because all the students have been here for a month now. "They told me that they can't wait to go home. "We will do everything we can so they can be with their families soon," he told the New Straits Times. – New Straits Times
Polluting brick factory shut down
A brick factory has been ordered to shut down following a desperate, bridge-top complaint from a resident about the thick smoke from the kiln blanketing nearby communities in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district. The local tambon administration organisation instructed the brick factory at Moo 7 in tambon Ban Mai to close and not reopen until it complies with the Public Health Act and reduces unhealthy emissions from its kilns, or face legal action. The issue was brought to light by Somchai Tareesit, 37, a construction worker, who on Sunday climbed to the top of Pridithamrong bridge, across the Chao Phraya River, and threatened to jump to his death unless something was done about the smoke. The man was later calmed down and returned safely to the ground. – Bangkok Post
Limited health facilities leave Papua facing tough COVID-19 fight
“I know this might sound harsh for some people but this is the fact; if you do not want to die, do not come to Papua,” Silwanus Sumule, a doctor who works in Jayapura, said in a recent phone interview with The Jakarta Post. Silwanus is also the spokesperson for the Papua COVID-19 response team. When the first COVID-19 cases were detected in Indonesia, he knew right away that Papua was not ready to handle the highly infectious disease. There are only seven pulmonologists and 73 ventilators in around 45 hospitals in the province, according to an official count. Papua also has a very limited supply of hazmat suits and only around 10,000 rapid test kits, at least 60,000 short of what is needed, according to Silwanus. – The Jakarta Post
27 more inmates positive for virus moved to NBP
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has said that an additional 27 inmates from the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City had tested positive for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), bringing the total number of confirmed cases in its prisons to 49. In a statement on Saturday night, the BuCor said the 27 were among the 51 CIW prisoners who were tested after the women-only prison reported its first case last week. All 27 were “well and asymptomatic” and had been transferred to the BuCor’s quarantine facility, “Site Harry,” at the medium-security compound of New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa. Site Harry, which can accommodate up to 300 patients, now houses 47 inmates from CIW. The first CIW inmate found positive for the disease was still confined at Santa Ana Hospital in Manila. – Philippine Daily Inquirer
Banks urged to further support COVID-19 affected customers
Governor of the State Bank of Việt Nam Lê Minh Hưng has called on commercial banks to urgently simplify lending procedures to help COVID-19-affected firms easily access preferential interest rate loans. But he said banks must still meet lending standards to ensure the safety and stability of the financial and banking system. Banks needed to determine that support for borrowers was their responsibility to the system and the economy, Hưng said, emphasising the measures were effective for both the banking system and borrowers. Despite appreciating initial efforts made and results, Hưng asked banks to drastically put in place supporting measures. – Viet Nam News
Myanmar under pressure to scale up COVID-19 stimulus measures
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s government is under pressure to scale up its existing stimulus package to mitigate the economic fallout of the COVID-19 outbreak. “The emergency fund is merely a drop in the ocean,” said U Win Shein, director of Yangon-based Capital Legal Counsel, referring to the K100 billion (US$72 million) COVID-19 fund. The emergency fund was set up by the administration in March for small businesses as well as the garment and tourism industries. The fund is part of a raft of economic measures designed to support local businesses. Myanmar has also cut the interest rate from 10 to 8.5 percent, eased the deadlines for some taxes, delayed loan repayments to financial institutions, and waived licence fees. But the scale of these policies fails to meet the expectations of the business community, many of whom are already struggling. – Myanmar Times