Hot Off The Press

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.  

Coronavirus: Global cases surpass 1 million, with more than 51,000 deaths and half of humanity in confinement

Global coronavirus cases surpassed 1 million on Thursday (April 2) with more than 51,000 deaths as the pandemic further exploded in the United States and the death toll climbed in Spain and Italy, according to a tally by a US university.

At the same time, according to an AFP calculation, more than 3.9 billion people, or half of the world's population, are now being called on to stay in their homes to combat COVID-19.

The virus has killed more than 51,000 globally with the largest number of deaths in Italy, followed by Spain and the United States, Johns Hopkins University's Centre for System Science and Engineering reported. – The Straits Times

Government ready to declare state of emergency after law is signed

The government will take no longer than 30 days to implement a state of emergency once the bill is signed into law. Soldiers are already on standby to ensure security and help citizens.

The time frame to put the declaration of emergency in effect will depend on the COVID-19 situation in the Kingdom. – Khmer Times

Crowded in camps, Rohingya refugees vulnerable to virus

Aid workers are bracing for a possible outbreak of the coronavirus in one of the world’s largest refugee camps in Bangladesh, with officials warning that containing the disease among more than 1 million tightly packed Rohingya Muslims will be a daunting task.

With about 40,000 people per square kilometer (103,600 per square mile) living in plastic shacks side by side, which is more than 40 times the average density of Bangladesh, the refugees are dangerously exposed to the virus. – Philippine Daily Inquirer

Curfew starts today

The government has imposed a curfew, banning all people nationwide from leaving their homes from 10pm to 4am starting tonight, in its latest move to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Appearing on the TV pool Thursday evening, Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha announced the curfew, effective until further notice. The prime minister called for calm and asked the public not to stock up on food as they will still be allowed to go out during the daytime, though they will be required to observe social distancing. – Bangkok Post

Gov’t considering unprecedented US$2.6b support package for Vietnamese hit by COVID-19

The Vietnamese Government is poised to adopt a US$2.6 billion relief package to help those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic that has waged devastation on the economy.

The draft Resolution on Government’s COVID-19 support, presented on Wednesday at the regular cabinet meeting by the Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyễn Chí Dũng, mostly sets out cash payments during a three-month period starting April through June. – Viet Nam News