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.
More than 6,600 calls to National Care Hotline, 500 volunteers have stepped up so far
More than 6,600 calls have been made to the National Care Hotline since its launch just over two weeks ago on April 10, said Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee in a Facebook post on Wednesday (April 29). This means there have been about 380 calls a day, of which just above 40 per cent, or about 170 calls, are channelled to the hotline's trained professionals. The other calls are diverted to other helplines for their specific needs. Mr Lee said about 500 volunteers take turns manning the 24-hour hotline, which was set up to provide psychological first aid and emotional support to those who need it during the Covid-19 crisis. – The Straits Times
Yan folk proud of their Covid-19 green zone
People in Yan are grateful for the community effort in maintaining the district as one of Covid-19 green zones. Since the beginning of the Movement Control Order (MCO), the people have quickly adapted to the "new normal", including having their seafood bulk purchase sent to their doorstep instead of buying them directly from fisherman at Pantai Murni and waiting in line to buy food items at Yan Market. Mansor Hamid, 75, from Kampung Pasir, said the MCO management in the district had helped the people stay motivated and comply with the MCO. "We are constantly reminded to stay indoors. Police and People's Volunteer Corps officers patrol the area daily and even stand guard at the entrance of Yan Market. – New Straits Times
Drug bust in Hat Yai, 39kg 'ice' seized
Police arrested four men and seized 39 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, or ice, in Hat Yai city early on Wednesday. Pol Maj Gen Damras Viriyakul, deputy chief of the Region 9 Provincial Police, said the operation was launched on a tip-off that a large quantity of drugs had been taken to room 207 at Chanapol Mansion in Soi 15, on Rattana-uthit road, in Hat Yai. Two police teams were deployed - one team placed in a room opposite No.207 and the other waiting in a car below. Shortly after midnight, a red MG car arrived at Chanapol Mansion and two men walked up to room 207. Police followed them into the room and found two cardboard boxes containing 39 1kg packages of crystal meth. The two men - Tolae Yila, 29, of Narathiwat, and Apichai Saleephol, 36, of Prachuap Khiri Khan - were detained. – Bangkok Post
NCTC, health groups urge Jokowi to ban smoking in COVID-19 ‘high-risk areas’
The National Commission on Tobacco Control (NCTC) has urged President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to enhance COVID-19 mitigation efforts by banning tobacco cigarettes and electronic cigarettes, especially in “high-risk areas”. In a letter issued on Monday, the commission urged the President to ban cigarette sales, remove cigarette displays from stores and tighten the ban on cigarette advertisements. The NCTC stated that it was encouraging stronger “enforcement of cigarette-free areas”, adding that private homes could be included among the high-risk areas to ensure safety and comfort indoors. “The government [should] call on people who smoke to stop or reduce smoking in order to prevent an increase in COVID-19 deaths,” the letter said. – The Jakarta Post
Modified quarantine eyed to restart economy
President Rodrigo Duterte may relax quarantine restrictions in low to moderate-risk parts of the Philippines in a phased reopening of the economy while the country tries to beat back the onslaught of the new coronavirus. In a televised address to the nation late on Monday, Mr. Duterte said some sectors of the economy, such as construction, might be allowed to open “partially” but under strict public health regulations to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus that causes the severe respiratory disease COVID-19. More than 860 Filipinos have been killed since the local outbreak in February. “It’s imminent. Others will still be in lockdown while we may open partially –construction workers and things like that. You just wait for the modified quarantine,” Mr. Duterte said. – Philippine Daily Inquirer
First White Book on Vietnamese Co-operatives released
The General Statistics Office (GSO) released its first White Book on co-operatives in Việt Nam on Tuesday. The paper provides information about the development levels of co-operatives in the country and its localities from 2016 – 2018. It also proposes solutions for co-operative development. The white book was compiled based on data collected from the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Việt Nam Co-operative Alliance. It shows that 2,569 new cooperatives were established in 2018, adding up to a total of 22,861 by December 31, 2018. The figures respectively increased by 9.5 per cent and 8.8 per cent year-on-year. Also in 2018, the net revenue of the 13,958 surveyed co-operatives hit VNĐ88.59 trillion (US$3.77 billion), up 9.6 per cent year-on-year. However, their pre-tax profit declined by 27.8 per cent to VNĐ2.57 trillion. – Viet Nam News
More trade administration procedures to go online during COVID-19
Applications to extend Exporter/Importer Registration Certificates will now be carried out online until the end of July in view of COVID-19, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce on April 27. This will help traders bypass the need to physically go to the trade department. "The Ministry of Commerce has eased many export/import restrictions for businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic to make things more convenient and to avoid mass gatherings at government offices," said U Khin Maung Lwin, assistant secretary at the ministry. Export/import permits have been issued online since April 1 and HS code lines for 73 export items and 742 import items have also gone online. – Myanmar Times