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.
Trump suspends all travel from Europe to the United States to fight coronavirus
President Donald Trump announced that the United States would suspend all travel from Europe from Friday (March 13) for 30 days to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The announcement comes just hours after the World Health Organisation officially declared it a pandemic.
The travel restrictions would not apply to the United Kingdom, which Mr Trump said has taken more precautions than the European Union against the virus. – The Straits Times
ASEAN ministers to fight COVID-19 together
ASEAN economic ministers yesterday completed the second working day of the ASEAN Economic Ministers Caucus Meeting on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the 26th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Retreat by released a joint statement in response to the outbreak of COVID-19.
The Ministers, who gathered in series working sessions in Đà Nẵng on March 8-11, all agreed to work together to deal with the novel coronavirus. – Viet Nam News
WHO labels coronavirus a 'pandemic'
The World Health Organization called the new coronavirus outbreak a pandemic on Wednesday, issuing a grim warning that the global spread and severity of the illness was due to "alarming levels of inaction".
The call came as Europe faced a mounting number of cases - including a slew of new countries clocking first deaths - prompting governments to roll out increasingly tough measures to slow the rapid spread of the virus. – Bangkok Post
Stop hoarding key commodities or face arrest, Palace warns
Malacañang on Thursday warned that individuals hoarding basic and key commodities amid the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) menace will be arrested.
“The Office of the President hereby gives warning to those hoarding vital commodities, which create a hike in the prices, as well as selling them beyond their regular prices, that their actions will be dealt with accordingly in pursuance of public safety and order,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement. – Philippine Daily Inquirer
Ministry urges journalists to respect patient privacy
The Health Ministry yesterday urged journalists not to name or show pictures of COVID-19 patients because it violates their right to privacy.
Ministry spokeswoman Or Vandine made the call during a roundtable discussion between the Health and Information ministries and the Cambodian Club of Journalists. – Khmer Times