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: Experts pinpoint how Singapore can avoid a second wave of infection
Experts are optimistic that Singapore can avoid a second wave of Covid-19 cases as long as people do not take unnecessary risks, like gathering in large groups for parties or meals. But even if that happens, Singapore will likely be able to figure out the source of the resurgence and implement a "sectorial shutdown rather than another comprehensive lockdown like a circuit breaker", said Professor Teo Yik Ying, dean of the National University of Singapore's (NUS) Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health. Speaking at a Covid-19 webinar hosted by The Straits Times on Thursday (July 23), he also said Singapore has a "very good chance" of keeping the number of community cases to 10 or 20 a day if everyone sticks to the rules. Pointing to countries facing a renewed surge, he noted that some flare-ups have been linked to instances of protocols being disregarded, like letting people into the country without mandatory quarantine. – The Straits Times
Prasarana lauds call for mandatory face masks on public transport
Prasarana Malaysia Berhad said the government's announcement to make mask compulsory when using the public transportation validates it's initiative enforced when the Covid-19 pandemic was in its early stages. Prasarana Group communications head Rafizah Amran said in March itself, the company made it a must for all MRT and LRT passengers to wear a face mask, sanitise, have their temperature taken and check in via MySejahtera before allowed to board the train. "Prasarana introduced the compulsory mask wearing rule since the first day of the Movement Control Order (MCO), on March 18 and will continue to enforce it in all our public transportations," she said. Rafizah was commenting on Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's statement to make it compulsory when traveling via public transportation. The Minister said starting August, anyone who flouts the new ruling can punished similar to those who breached MCO in the early stages. – New Straits Times
A second wave can be quelled, say health bigwigs
Thailand will be able to handle and curb a second wave of Covid-19 as lessons have been learned from the first outbreak, say senior public health officials. Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, director-general of the Disease Control Department, said on Thursday that a second wave of infections would be different from the first one because agencies involved and the public have learned from it. "Right now, we do not allow people from abroad to enter the country without proper management," he said. "People regularly wear face masks, wash their hands, and maintain physical distancing, which is different from the first wave. The government, the private sector and the public are experienced and well prepared for a second wave outbreak.” Dr Suwannachai said that it is important for business operators, particularly in the industry, service and business sectors, to take additional health precautions to prevent infections at their workplaces. – Bangkok Post
MPR speaker worries as govt stops broadcasting daily virus updates
Indonesia confirmed 1,906 additional COVID-19 cases and 117 deaths on Thursday, bringing the nation’s official total to 93,657 infections and 4,576 deaths. The new figures, however, were not announced in the typical daily press briefing aired on television and the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB)’s YouTube channel. National COVID-19 task force spokesperson Wiku Adisasmito announced on Tuesday that the government would hold press briefings only once a week. Instead, the government is providing daily COVID-19 updates on covid19.go.id and detailed reports on covid19.kemkes.go.id. The detailed reports, which break down the data by province, are posted the day after the initial report. People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) speaker Bambang Soesatyo advised the government to continue broadcasting COVID-19 updates on television so that the information reached a wide audience. – The Jakarta Post
Philippines joins COVID-19 vaccine global access facility
The Philippines will join the COVAX Facility, a mechanism designed to guarantee rapid, fair, and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. This is after Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced Friday that the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases “approved the participation of the Philippines in the Gavi COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facility, including the corresponding allocation of funds.” The Philippine government has already reached out to various COVID-19 vaccine developers from the United States, Taiwan, China, and the United Kingdom for possible purchase once their respective vaccines become available. President Duterte has repeatedly vowed to source out funds to provide Filipinos with COVID-19 vaccines, even saying that he would sell government properties if necessary. –INQUIRER.net
Japan moves to relax entry restrictions for Việt Nam
Japan will ease entry restrictions for Việt Nam and Thailand this month, said Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu on Wednesday. However, all citizens of the two Southeast Asian countries would be quarantined for 14 days at home or a designated location, according to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Regarding the permission for businesspeople and those with work purpose to enter Japan, the ministry said it will continue coordinating with Việt Nam and Thailand via diplomatic channels to implement this programme as soon as possible and announce agreements immediately. Earlier, at a meeting on June 19, Minister Motegi said Japan and Việt Nam have reached an agreement on gradually and partially easing travelling restrictions between the two countries. – Viet Nam News
Police block garment workers marching to Hun Sen’s house
Police and security guards blocked about 100 workers who attempted to march to Prime Minister Hun Sen’s house on July 23 to submit a petition seeking a resolution after their factory shut down without providing benefit payments. Some 50 police officers and Tuol Kork district security guards stopped the workers on Kampuchea Krom Boulevard in Phsar Depot 1 commune while they were on their way to the prime minister’s house after departing from the Labor Ministry, where they had first submitted their petition. The workers decided to proceed to Hun Sen’s house as the government had failed to find a solution to their problems after employees had submitted a complaint with the Labor Ministry earlier this month. The Violet Apparel workers are asking that the ministry come to an agreement with the factory owner that would guarantee them seniority indemnity and compensation pay in the wake of the factory’s suspension and subsequent closure due to economic strain in the wake of Covid-19. – The Cambodia Daily