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.
Singapore develops new test that can swiftly detect if someone has had Covid-19
Duke-NUS Medical School has come up with a Covid-19 test kit that takes just an hour, instead of the usual several days, to detect if someone has been infected before. The new test can be used to see if potential vaccines work, to check what proportion of the population has already been infected, and for contact tracing, which is critical as Singapore eases up on circuit breaker measures. It is available to hospitals here and is the first of its kind to single out specific antibodies - the weapon the human body harnesses against infection - that neutralise the coronavirus and prevent it from infecting a patient's cells, said the researchers. When someone is infected with the virus, the body produces hundreds, if not thousands, of different antibodies, which bind with the virus and are known as binding antibodies. However, not all of them can neutralise the virus. This is the role of neutralising antibodies. – The Straits Times
Several states allow Friday prayers to be held today
After more than two months of being unable to perform Friday prayers at mosques following the outbreak of the Covid-19, Muslims in several states have been allowed to conduct the congregational prayers beginning today. However, for the initial phase, only selected number of individuals are allowed to perform the Friday prayers and other congregational prayers at the mosques and suraus in their respective areas. For the time being, mosques and suraus will remain shut to the public. Yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri said mosques and selected suraus in the Covid-19 green zones in the Federal Territories would be allowed to hold Friday prayers and other congregational prayers, namely, Tarawih and Aidilfitri prayers, in stages, beginning today, and limited to between three and 30 people, excluding the imam. – New Straits Times
Govt mulls cut in curfew time
The government will on Friday discuss a proposal to shorten the 10pm-4am curfew by one hour to help boost the economy while a proposal to extend the state of emergency for another month will depend on whether Covid-19 curb relaxations are successful, according to a highly placed source. The 11pm-4am curfew proposal was formally discussed at Wednesday's meeting of an ad hoc committee on easing Covid-19 restrictions, which was chaired by Gen Somsak Roongsita, secretary-general of the National Security Council (NSC), said the source. The proposal is expected to be forwarded to the main committee of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, for endorsement, said the same source. Among the proposals will be permission for teams of at most 10 TV and film crew to go out gathering news, up from the previous rule which stated that a maximum of five people per team were allowed, said the source. – Bangkok Post
Epidemiologist claims easing PSBB could prolong COVID-19 crisis until 2024
An epidemiologist has claimed that the government's plan to ease large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) could extend the outbreak until 2024. Panji Fortuna Hadisoemarto of Padjadjaran University said he had made three different statistical models to estimate the length of the outbreak using data on COVID-19 cases in West Java. The models suggested that tightening PSBB by 20 percent would end the outbreak “in less than one month” and that loosening the restrictions could extend the outbreak until 2024. Panji said a 20 percent increase in public activities from the current PSBB levels would cause the health crisis to last until at least 2021. “By the end of the outbreak, about 22 million people will have been infected by the disease,” said Panji on Wednesday. He said the government’s plan to allow citizens under 45 years old to work outside their homes would make the situation worse and that at least 3.5 million people between the ages of 14 and 45 would contract the virus by the end of 2024. – The Jakarta Post
Evacuees face double threat—virus, Typhoon Ambo
The first typhoon of this year’s cyclone season slammed into the central Philippines on Thursday, forcing a complicated and risky evacuation for tens of thousands of people already hunkered down at home during the coronavirus pandemic. More than 200,000 people live in coastal areas or flimsy houses in Eastern Samar province, where Typhoon Ambo (international name: Vongfong) made landfall around noon with fierce winds and heavy rain. Tens of millions more live along Ambo’s path, which is expected to take the howler near densely populated Metropolitan Manila, the national capital region that is under lockdown to suppress the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus that causes the severe respiratory disease COVID-19. – Philippine Daily Inquirer
Hà Nội attractions reopen for tourists
Historic sites and tourist attractions in Hà Nội reopened to tourists on Thursday nearly two months after being closed to prevent the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus. Sites such as the Temple of Literature, Ngọc Sơn Temple and Hỏa Lò Prison are among the attractions that welcomed tourists back while deploying safety precautions. Lê Xuân Kiều, director of the Temple of Literature’s Cultural and Scientific and Cultural Activity Centre, said preventive measures remained the top priority. The centre had temperature checks and hand sanitiser in place for visitors, he said. Visitors are required to comply with regulations related to epidemic prevention and control, such as checking their temperatures, wearing face masks and washing hands. – Viet Nam News
Myanmar’s youngest COVID-19 patient among five new recoveries
Five more COVID-19 patients in Myanmar are on the road to recovery after recent tests showed no remaining signs of the virus. No new cases were detected as at 8 pm, on May 14, the health ministry said. Among the new recoveries is Case-95, Myanmar’s youngest patient at just 18 months of age. The toddler tested positive on April 19, after contracting the virus from his great grandfather (Case-39) who was 85 and among the six fatalities so far. “The boy has no virus now according to the test results. He tested negative twice. He and his parents will be transferred to Phaunggyi COVID-19 Medical Center and he will also be quarantined for 21 days,” Daw Aye Aung, Medical Superintendent of Wabaigi Specialist Hospital, told The Myanmar Times. His great grandfather was tested positive on April 9 after being admitted to Yangon General Hospital for fever and cough. He suffered from underlying diseases including diabetes and coronary heart disease. Of the remaining four patients who have recovered, three were traced back to a church cluster in Insein township. More than 70 people who attended a ceremony held at the church last month have since tested positive. – Myanmar Times