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.
Italy overtakes China with 3,405 COVID-19 deaths
Italy’s death toll from the COVID-19 coronavirus overtook that of China, where the virus first emerged, on Thursday as hospitals said they were being overwhelmed and the government prepared to prolong emergency lockdown measures.
A total 427 deaths were registered in Italy over the past 24 hours, bringing the total nationwide tally to 3,405 since the outbreak surfaced on Feb 21. China has recorded 3,245 deaths since early January. However, Italy has far fewer confirmed cases - 41,035 as of Thursday against 80,907 in China.
Officials and experts believe the total number of infections here is significantly higher, with testing largely limited to those arriving for hospital care. The country’s large, elderly population, who are particularly vulnerable to the virus, is also seen as factor for the high number of fatalities. – The New Straits Times
Marooned due to Luzon quarantine? Seek shelter, food in military camps – Duterte
President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday advised those who would be stranded due to the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon to go to military camps for accommodation and food.
"Those who are stranded, we will try to help you. Your Air Force and your Army will help you wherever you are. If you can’t go home, if you don’t have anywhere to sleep, I am asking the military commanders of the different camps all over the country that you can go there and ask for accommodation and food," Duterte said in a taped message streamed online. – Philippine Daily Inquirer
Vietnam proposes postponing 36th ASEAN Summit and related meetings
Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc on Thursday wrote to leaders of ASEAN countries and New Zealand proposing the 36th ASEAN Summit, the ASEAN-New Zealand Summit and related meetings, initially scheduled for April 8-9 in Vietnam’s Đà Nẵng City, be postponed until the end of June.
In his letter, PM Phúc said Vietnam has basically completed organisational work for the events, but the postponement is necessary due to the COVID-19 pandemic spreading in the region and the world. – Viet Nam News
Health certificates required of all visitors
The government will extend the requirement of medical certificates and health insurance from Sunday to cover all visitors to the country regardless of nationalities to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Thailand reported 60 new coronavirus cases, the biggest daily jump in the number of cases so far to take its total infections to 272, the Public Health Ministry said on Thursday. – Bangkok Post
Cluster infections of COVID-19 in Cambodia on the rise, cases at 47 as of last night
Cambodians who had returned from Malaysia after a religious event there continued to be detected with COVID-19 virus.
This also includes 11 Malaysians, some of whom had not been at the congregation but were at places where other victims were believed to have congregated. – Khmer Times