These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
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Changi Airport terminals, Jewel to be closed to public for 2 weeks from May 13; still open for air travel
All Changi Airport passenger terminal buildings and Jewel Changi Airport will be closed for two weeks to the public from Thursday (May 13). While some staff and travellers can still access the terminal buildings, Jewel will be completely closed. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and Changi Airport Group (CAG) said the move will take place while Covid-19 tests of workers are ongoing at the airport. Given the evolving nature of Covid-19, the authorities will continue to review and adjust the measures as necessary. This includes extending the closure if required. CAAS and CAG said: "Changi Airport remains open for air travel during this period. Passengers may also continue to be dropped off and picked up from the airport. "Access to the passenger terminal buildings will be restricted to only passengers with air tickets and essential airport workers. Some essential services and food and beverage outlets will remain open to serve them." The closures come as the number of Covid-19 cases linked to the
airport continues to grow. Seven of the community cases announced on Wednesday are linked to the Changi Airport cluster, taking the total number of cases in the cluster to 25. Airport workers and staff working in Jewel are urged to refrain from going out except for essential work or activities in the next 14 days, until they have tested negative for Covid-19. They should also not be redeployed to other workplaces or outlets during this period. The airport Covid-19 cluster is now the second-largest active cluster, after the one at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). It emerged after an 88-year-old cleaner deployed at Terminal 3 tested positive for Covid-19 on May 5. Six in the cluster have tested preliminarily positive for the B1617 variant, and are pending further confirmatory tests. – The Straits Times
Muhyiddin: Though unpopular, barring inter-district, interstate travel for Hari Raya was necessary to arrest Covid-19 numbers
The government's decision to bar house-to-house visits during Hari Raya Aidilfitri may have drawn flak from the people but the action was to avert a further surge of Covid-19 infections that could hit tens of thousands of cases daily after the festive period. Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he was aware that the decision, which included barring interstate and inter-district travel as well as social activities among others, was met with criticisms for not allowing people to 'balik kampung' and visit their friends and families. "I know it was not a popular decision and may not satisfy everyone. Some had scolded me. They questioned why we are doing this when Muslims are celebrating the first day of Aidilfitri tomorrow. "Is this government cruel? I am not cruel. I made the decision to protect your lives and your future. If I allow it, who knows if your guests are Covid-19 positive or asymptomatic or unaware that he or she has been infected and goes on passing the virus to others at different homes? "The situation makes it even hard to break the Covid-19 infection chain. If she or he visits 10 homes, then 10 family members would contract the virus. "In the end, the moment we finish celebrating Aidilfitri, the positive cases in the country may jump to tens of thousands a day. Do not fool around. This is a tough decision but it had to be made," he said in his Aidilfitri address. The prime minister said he felt that he made the right decision by imposing travel restrictions despite the public's anger towards him over the government's efforts to protect all from the coronavirus. Given the latest discoveries involving new Covid-19 variants and the rapid virus transmissions, Muhyiddin said the nation was now at a critical juncture, requiring the government's swift response. "If no strict or drastic action was taken, our nation could plunge into a health catastrophe and lead to a severe national crisis. Therefore, I announced the nationwide Movement Control Order two days ago," he said. While there was no guarantee that the government's various steps would lead to a 100 per cent drop in Covid-19 numbers, Muhyiddin said it was all dependent on how far the people adhered to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to stop the Covid-19 infection from spreading. He added that it all depended on the people's self-discipline in adhering to the SOP, which in turn would see lower Covid-19 numbers, resulting in the coronavirus becoming weak and the transmission to cease. – New Straits Times
Thousands of inmates infected
Nearly 3,000 inmates at Bangkok's two main prisons – Bangkok Remand Prison and the Central Women's Correctional Institution – have been found to be infected with Covid-19. Corrections Department director-general Aryut Sinthoppan revealed the 2,835 infections on Wednesday after democracy activist Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul marked her release on bail by telling her Facebook followers that she had contracted the virus. She acknowledged that many inmates have infections. Ms Panusaya was released on May 6 after being detained for 59 days at the Central Women's Correctional Institution. Mr Aryut said mass testing on prison officials and inmates had found 1,795 prisoners at Bangkok Remand Prison and 1,040 at the Central Women's Correctional Institution to be infected with the coronavirus. Most of them were being treated at the field hospitals set up outside the two prisons or at the Corrections Hospital, he said, while those in a more serious condition had been admitted to outside hospitals. "The Corrections Department has ordered all correctional facilities to set up an area for quarantine and a field hospital, with doctors and nurses on duty to provide treatment for the infected inmates," Mr Aryut said. "We also plan to inoculate all detainees. We are just waiting for an allocation of vaccines from the relevant agencies." New inmates were being placed in quarantine for at least 21 days and had to provide two negative tests before being moved to the usual wing, he said. Mr Aryut said he considered the number of infected inmates to be small when compared to the number of infections throughout the country. According to the Corrections Department, there were 3,238 prisoners at the Bangkok Remand Prison as of May 5 and 4,518 at the Central Women's Correctional Institution. The prison studies.org website reports there were 307,910 people being held in Thai prisons as of April 1 this year, including pre-trial detainees. Mathavee "May" Sithijirawattanakul posted on her Facebook page on Wednesday that she had contracted Covid-19 from her younger sister Panusaya, who has recently also been granted bail. She said she and her mother hugged Ms Panusya in front of the prison shortly after she had been released. To prevent the further spread of Covid-19 across the country, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and provincial governors have launched campaigns to persuade people to register for Covid-19 vaccine shots. The Prime Minister's Office posted on its Thai Khufa Facebook Page a 48-second clip featuring the prime minister issuing his rallying cry. "While we are fighting against Covid-19, I'd like all Thais to receive the vaccines when they arrive – for the sake of yourself, your families, your loved ones, and for the country," he said. "Everyone will then be able to resume their normal lives and the country can re-emerge stronger and move forward." – Bangkok Post
Duterte hopes for peace, unity, healing in Eid’l Fitr message
As Muslims mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan, President Rodrigo Duterte expressed hopes for peace and healing as the country “makes a significant step closer to beating the COVID-19 pandemic.” “As you mark the end of a month-long journey of reflection, prayer and fasting, may Allah continue to instil in you the virtues of generosity and compassion for others,” Duterte said as he joined Muslims in the observance of Eid’l Fitr. “This joyous occasion celebrating personal sacrifice and unity is made more relevant as the country makes a significant step closer to beating the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added. The President said may this day inspire Muslims to continue promoting “peace, unity and goodwill” among fellow Filipinos. “Let us welcome a new hope that this Eid brings — for peace, prosperity, healing and strength as we build a progressive and brighter future for our people,” Duterte said. Malacañang recently issued Proclamation No. 1142 declaring May 13 a regular holiday in observance of Eid’l Fitr. – INQUIRER.net
VN, Thai PMs to work together to overcome pandemic challenges
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a phone conversation with his Thai counterpart Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday night to discuss various aspects of bilateral co-operation, including facilitation of travel protocols between the two countries. Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha sent his best regards and best wishes to Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and congratulated PM Chinh on his election to the post and invited the Vietnamese PM to visit Thailand. The Thai leader praised Viet Nam’s competent handling of the COVID-19 pandemic along with socio-economic development, successful fulfilment of its role as Chair of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2020 as well as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council – especially as the President of the council in April this year, and the country’s role in regional and international affairs. He said Thailand holds in high regards relations with Viet Nam and wants to promote the partnership between the two countries. PM Chinh thanked the Thai PM for sending congratulatory messages, conveyed greetings from Party General Secretary Trong and President Phuc to the King, Queen and Prime Minister of Thailand and reaffirmed his willingness to work closely with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to expand bilateral ties. The two Prime Ministers requested agencies to organise activities commemorating the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Thailand in 2021, maintain and promote effective bilateral co-operation mechanisms, including the organisation of the 4th Viet Nam-Thailand joint cabinet meeting at an appropriate time, early signing the Action Plan to implement the Viet Nam-Thailand Enhanced Strategic Partnership for 2021-25 and striving to bring bilateral trade to US$25 billion by 2025. PM Chinh said Viet Nam would facilitate and encourage Thai businesses to do business in Viet Nam, especially in fields with high potentials such as energy, tourism, hi-tech agriculture, supporting industries for the auto industry, and digital technology. The Thai PM agreed with Chinh’s proposal on strengthening the direct exchange mechanism between two countries’ ministers in a flexible manner to address difficulties and ensure effective economic, trade and investment ties. The two PMs also discussed how to resolve problems faced by enterprises of the two countries due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. They agreed to facilitate the negotiations of priority travel mechanisms between the two countries and co-operation in ensuring safe and effective access to vaccine supplies, in a bid for sustainable post-pandemic socio-economic recovery. – Viet Nam News
Restrictions extended: PP curfew and lockdowns to continue till May 19
Phnom Penh City Hall has decided to extend the capital-wide curfew and lockdowns in Red Zones for another week from today till May 19. The divisions of the two other zones, Orange and Yellow which depict lower levels of virus spread risks, also continues. In order to stem the flow of infections, City Hall has also decided to restrict the number of areas that are declared as Yellow Zones. Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng said yesterday the six districts in Phnom Penh that are designated as Yellow Zones are Chamkar Mon, Daun Penh, Sen Sok, Chroy Changva, Boeng Keng Kang and Prek Pnov. “The purpose of our additional one-week lockdown is to reduce the transmission of coronavirus in the city,” Sreng said. He noted that the zoning system has succeeded in lowering the number of COVID-19 cases in the capital steadily from around 500 to about 200 daily. Sreng added that the curfew was still in place because he felt that it was beneficial for people not to gather and move from one area to another or go drinking in a crowd, which could cause a rise in virus transmissions. “Actually, Phnom Penh City Hall does not want to impose a curfew, but we are still worried about the re-emergence of a COVID-19 outbreak, so we still implement this measure,” he said. Sreng added that the City Hall also has categorised parts of eight other districts as Orange or Red Zones. Despite the reducing spread of COVID-19 in Phnom Penh, City Hall also urged people to comply with the guidelines issued by the government and Ministry of Health to participate in the prevention and eradication of coronavirus in the capital. Meanwhile, Or Vandine, spokeswoman of Ministry of Health, told local media on Tuesday evening that Cambodia had discovered the first cases of two new strains of the virus that originated in India and Britain. She said the strains were brought in by travellers from abroad and were detected last month. “We found a new strain of virus from India (B1617) that originated in foreigners who arrived in Cambodia last month. In particular, a new mutated virus originating from the United Kingdom (B117) was also found on foreigners entering Cambodia,” Vandine said. She said that international experts consider the India strain as more virulent than other new strains of the virus from South Africa, Britain and Brazil. – Khmer Times
Dozens arrested as regime forces overrun Myingyan stronghold
Forces loyal to Myanmar’s military junta ended a standoff with a local People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Mandalay Region’s Myingyan Township on Wednesday after overrunning a resistance stronghold. Troops stationed in Myingyan’s Talokemyo village tract besieged locals armed with hunting rifles and knives for about 20 hours before forcing them to retreat shortly before noon, sources said. Six injured members of the resistance force were among around 30 people arrested; the sources confirmed. Five others who managed to evade arrest are receiving medical treatment in a safe location, they added. Although the Myingyan PDF had successfully withstood an assault the previous day, the offensive on Wednesday proved to be overwhelming, according to resistance fighter Aye Kyaw. “We fought with them until about 11:30am. When they came at us with all their might and fiercely attacked us, we had to retreat,” he told Myanmar Now. It was the third time since April that the regime’s forces had tried to take control of the stronghold in Myoma, a village in Talokemyo. At least one soldier was killed during fighting in Myoma on Tuesday. Myanmar Now was unable to independently verify how many others were injured on both sides. “The fighting became intense at around 8am. That’s when most of us fled. All I know is that we could hear gunfire from both sides as we tried to find somewhere safe from the fighting,” said a local villager. Many of the village’s inhabitants had already fled before the clash began on Tuesday, leaving only men between the ages of 18 and 50, according to sources. Despite closing in on the village from both sides, the regime’s armed forces were unable to prevent many of those still there on Wednesday from escaping. – Myanmar NOW
Make Eid al-Fitr a momentum to combat COVID-19: Marsudi
Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi urged the people at large in Indonesia and Indonesian communities abroad to make the Eid al-Fitr festivity a momentum to continue to combat and win their fight against COVID-19. "On this day of victory, let us enhance our commitment to being part of the solution," the minister stated in a video of her extending congratulations on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr on Thursday. The Eid al-Fitr festivity, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadhan, is celebrated by Muslims across the globe. The celebration of the Eid al-Fitr festivity was expected to be the last time during the pandemic situation, Marsudi remarked. The minister stressed that her message for the prevention of COVID-19 was not only directed to those in Indonesia but also to all members of Indonesian communities abroad. They are necessitated to continue to follow the COVID-19 health protocols and policies of the governments in countries where they live or work, she remarked. While caring for personal safety and Indonesia's good image in foreign countries, Marsudi also urged them to persevere to uphold the spirit of national unity among themselves. "Maintaining the spirit of solidarity and bonds of friendship among Indonesians while staying abroad is so important amid this pandemic situation," she affirmed. Traditionally, the Idul Fitri festivity is often regarded by Indonesian Muslims as a time to seek blessings and forgiveness from parents and to strengthen "silaturrahim". However, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin had earlier called on Indonesian Muslims to uphold the "silaturrahim" or the bonds of friendship virtually. Amin also urged the people at large in the country to continue the nation's collective fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by reducing their mobility for the safety of all. "We do not want the endeavours that we have made over this past year to go in vain. Of course, the safety of our beloved must be prioritized and maintained together," he emphasized. To break the chain of transmission of COVID-19, which has impacted the purchasing power of scores of families in Indonesia, the government has banned homebound travel, or "mudik," ahead of this year's Idul Fitri holiday season akin to last year. The Health Ministry has also confirmed the entry of three new coronavirus variants into Indonesia, including those originating from India, South Africa, and the Great Britain. – AntaraNews.Com