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.
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Buffets are back in S'pore, but self-service still not allowed under Covid-19 safe management measures
Buffets are making a comeback, with safety measures in place, more than a year after they were taken off the menu since the circuit breaker period kicked in on April 7 last year to stem the spread of Covid-19. According to guidelines sent out by the Association of Catering Professionals Singapore, staff-served food lines can resume as of Monday (April 12) at food and beverage outlets, corporate and work-related events, and events in the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (Mice) industry. Buffets at weddings, funeral services and social activities within corporate settings are still not permitted. Popular buffet eatery Carousel at Royal Plaza on Scotts resumed its buffet line on Monday, while StraitsKitchen at the Grand Hyatt Singapore will do so from Tuesday. However, diners will not be allowed to help themselves to the food as they did before the pandemic hit. According to the guidelines seen by The Straits Times, servers must dish out the food items for diners, who are not allowed to have any contact with the food. The food being served must be covered with plastic shields or other barriers, servers must wear masks and cannot handle the food with their bare hands. Diners queueing for food must also have their masks on and must maintain a 1m distance from the next person in the queue. The establishments must also ensure there is a 1m distance between the queue and the nearest seated diner. Mr Patrick Fiat, the general manager of Royal Plaza on Scotts, said all dishes at the buffet counters at Carousel are partitioned with sneeze guards that are frequently sanitised. "There will also be one server assisting each diner per buffet line to ensure that plates are not passed back and forth between various staff members and diners," he said. – The Straits Times
Balik kampung fever amid 4th wave fear
Many have expressed their wish to celebrate Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri in their hometowns after missing out on the celebration with their loved ones last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Even with warnings from experts over a possible fourth wave of Covid-19 infections should interstate travel be allowed; many have said they are willing to spend their own money to take Covid-19 swab tests before embarking on a balik kampung journey. Last week, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said the probability of Malaysia entering a fourth wave of Covid-19 infections would hinge on the reopening of borders, the people's adherence to the SOP as well as the effectiveness of the National Covid-19 Vaccination Plan. Epidemiologist Dr Malina Osman had, earlier this month, said should Malaysia experience the dreaded fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, it would most likely come from borders being reopened. She believed the government should defer lifting interstate travel restrictions until 50 per cent of the 9.4 million population of at-risk groups in Phase 2 of the country's inoculation drive are vaccinated and active cases are manageable. Dr Malina, who is an associate professor at Universiti Putra Malaysia, said should cases remain at four or five digits, it would be a gamble and could cripple the country's health services which are still coping with the effects and exhaustion from addressing the third wave, which has yet to end. – New Straits Times
Infections reach record rate
A Covid-19 surge in Chiang Mai is considered to be a red alert after this northern province on Monday recorded an additional 269 Covid-19 cases, mostly related to nightspots, prompting provincial authorities to expand facilities at the field hospital. Chiang Mai yesterday led Bangkok and Chon Buri in new Covid-19 infections as Thailand logged a new daily record of 985 cases. The CCSA said Chiang Mai led in new cases with 269 transmissions, followed by Bangkok (137) and Chon Buri (92). The number of at-risk people in Chiang Mai is estimated at about 5,000-6,000, according to its governor. The 985 new infections reported by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is the highest daily tally since the pandemic began and raises the accumulated total to 33,610. All but five were transmitted inside Thailand. No further deaths were reported, leaving the toll at 97. The Chiang Mai figures included a large cluster found in the province on Sunday afternoon. Nevertheless, in terms of cumulative positive test results this month, Chiang Mai – with 629 cases –still lags behind Bangkok, which accounted for 1,431 cases over the same period. Department of Disease Control director-general Opas Karnkawinpong said the figures they report following the Songkran holiday period will define the direction the Covid-19 infection rate is heading during this third wave. "The trend is still upward. We will have to look at the figures after Songkran," Dr Opas said. He said most new cases were still linked to nightspots and warned the ongoing university summer break could prompt another surge if students lower their guard. Dr Opas said this new round of infections is unique as it is predominately striking younger members of society. "The transmissions in Chiang Mai were linked with university students who, after their examinations, went to pubs to let their hair down or engaged in other activities which contributed to the wider spread of the virus,'' Dr Opas said. Chiang Mai governor Charoenrit Sa-nguansat said the key to preventing large clusters forming was to identify and isolate those at most risk as quickly as possible. ''The number of at-risk people is estimated at about 5,000-6,000, prompting the need to increase testing units to meet the demand,'' the governor said. Mr Charoenrit said the provincial communicable disease committee will meet to assess the situation and will arrange for field hospitals to be set up to accommodate an expected surge of new patients and need for extensive testing. He added that almost 100 students and personnel at Chiang Mai University were confirmed to be infected and the university was moving them from field hospitals to the university's premises where they will be looked after. ''The situation is critical. Therefore, the provincial communicable disease committee must take all measures to control the spread of the disease as quickly as possible,'' the governor said. Mr Charoenrit said that Siam Cement Group (SCG), the country's largest industrial conglomerate, has donated 500 beds for use at field hospitals. Even so, the province has asked SCG for additional beds because public health officials estimated that at least 2,000 will be needed given the rising number of people who are undergoing testing now. Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Chiang Mai on the eve of the Songkran festival was quiet yesterday as most people stayed at home to avoid the risk of infection. – Bangkok Post
Duterte calls for solidarity, peace, aid to the needy in Ramadan message
President Rodrigo Duterte has called on Filipinos to unite and help those who are in need as Muslims commemorate the holy month of Ramadan. The month-long Ramadan of the Muslim faithful begins on Tuesday, April 13. Duterte said he joins Muslim Filipinos in commemorating the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Mohammad, adding that the period of fasting during Ramadan is a reminder of the “value of sacrifice, obedience and charity.” “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, may peace, mercy and blessings be upon you all on the holy month of Ramadan,” he said in a message on Monday. “As we mark this holy occasion, I ask everyone to promote solidarity among all Filipinos by manifesting faith through action and by fostering peace, hope and unity as we face the most challenging of times,” he added. Duterte said Filipinos should “channel the spirit of Ramadan” by helping those who are less fortunate and “most in need.” He wished Filipinos can move forward “with courage, hope, and optimism as the blessings of Ramadan bring peace and prosperity to the entire nation.” Ramadan is observed on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar where Muslims across the world fast from dawn to dusk, pray and give alms. – INQUIRER.net
Election-related preparation work must ensure transparency and efficiency: NA chairman
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dình Hue has requested that the election-related preparation work must ensure continuity, transparency and efficiency. He made the statement at the fifth meeting of the National Election Council (NEC) held in Ha Noi on Monday. The NEC should organise the election of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and direct the election of People's Council deputies at all levels in a manner that ensures democracy, in line with laws as well as being safe and economical. “Delegates who are chosen to the NA or People’s Council at all levels are outstanding ones, truly representing the people’s ownership so that the upcoming May 23 election day will really be a big festival for the entire population,” Hue said. Preparations for the upcoming election have been actively carried out across the country including the establishment of electoral bodies, the issuance of guiding documents especially personnel work, promoting communication about the election, settlement of complaints and denunciations related to the elections as well as ensuring security, order and safety for the election. There is not much time left for the election of the 15th National Assembly and the People’s Councils at all levels for 2021-2026 tenure but a huge amount of work lies ahead, he said. At the meeting, the NEC heard a report on the establishment and supervision of inspection teams of the NEC in the first and second phases. A report on the preparation for the third consultation conference and the adjustment of members of the commission or consideration of personnel of sub-committees, Chief of Office of NEC was also submitted at the meeting. – Viet Nam News
Construction worker arrested for posting fake news that many Cambodians died due to Chinese vaccines
A 27-year-old construction worker was arrested yesterday for posting a video on social media claiming that many Cambodians died after being vaccinated with Chinese vaccines. The suspect was identified as Kong Sambath who lived in Meanchey district’s Chak Angre Krom commune. Captain Hong Kimheng attached to Phnom Penh Municipal anti-cybercrimes department said the suspect was arrested about 3pm yesterday after he posted on his Facebook account named Changhan Huy on Friday that many people died after being injected with the Chinese vaccines and told people not to take the vaccine injections. “He posted a fake news. Whatever the suspect posted is not true. His action has affected the Royal Government’s hard work and stringent measures to fight the coronavirus which is causing many people to suffer from the disease,’ he added. In this case, he said, the suspect is alleged to have violated “Obstacles to the Implementation of Measures” under Article 11 of the Law on Measures to Prevent the Spread of Covid-19 and Other Highly Contagious Diseases.” If the suspect is charged and found guilty, then he will face a jail sentence of between six months to three years. The suspect is currently detained for further investigations by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court before being charged. Phnom Penh Municipal Court deputy prosecutor Seng Heang who is in charge of questioning the suspect could not be reached for comments. – Khmer Times
Hospital staff severely beaten during raid by junta forces in Tamu
Regime forces assaulted and robbed staff at a private hospital in the Sagaing region town of Tamu during a raid on Monday, according to a spokesperson for a local civil security team. Troops who carried out the early morning raid on the Grace Hospital severely beat two members of its security staff and forced doctors and nurses to hand over their phones, the spokesperson said on condition of anonymity. “The two security guards were badly beaten up. [Soldiers] also threatened nurses and doctors at gunpoint and took all of their mobile phones,” he said. Tamu, located on Myanmar’s border with India, was mostly quiet on Monday following a series of clashes and shootings over the weekend. Soldiers started the day before dawn, going from ward to ward with bulldozers to tear down barricades erected by protesters, local sources said. There were also reports of soldiers shooting into homes, and of locals firing on them with homemade guns, but resistance was limited due to the heavy military presence. Members of Tamu’s civil security team, set up by local youths as a defense against attacks by regime forces, also claimed that there were snipers positioned around the town and that drones were being used for surveillance. Myanmar Now has not been able to verify this information. Tamu has seen a series of violent incidents since the junta began cracking down on protest strongholds in Sagaing region in late March. On April 1, a week after the first casualty in the town was reported, an anti-coup group killed five policemen during an attack on a police outpost. The leader of the group, a local policeman who had defected to the civil disobedience movement, was also killed. On Saturday, locals ambushed a convoy of junta troops as they were entering the town to suppress protests. Using homemade hunting rifles, they killed at least three soldiers. Two civilians also died in the clash. A day later, a sniper shot and killed a motorcyclist who was driving past a district police station. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, regime forces have killed more than 700 civilians since the military seized power on February 1. Healthcare workers and hospitals have not been spared from violent attacks. On March 28, troops opened fire with rubber bullets at the Asia Royal Hospital in Yangon, injuring one staff member. Other hospitals in Yangon, including the Shwe La Min Hospital in North Okkalapa, the Academy Hospital in Ahlone, and the Shwegondaing Specialist Centre in Bahan, have also reported violent incursions by regime troops. The junta has also repeatedly targeted medics providing emergency aid to wounded protesters. – Myanmar NOW
Indonesia looks to domestic tourists for tourism revival in 2021
The government is optimistic of ecotourism being among the driving forces for comprehensively implementing a green economy to boost Indonesia’s economic revival. Ecotourism can be defined as tourism that is conducted responsibly to conserve the environment and sustain the well-being of the local people. Its benefits comprise promoting environmental awareness, offering direct financial benefits for conservation, and monetarily benefitting and empowering the local people. Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Forestry (LHK) Alue Dohong affirmed that the management of nature tourism areas can generate income for the region and society in addition to creating jobs whilst abstaining from damaging and exploitative actions. West Java has several ecotourism destinations, such as the Gede Pangrango National Park, which can boost local economic activities, and the Situgunung suspension bridge that has become a popular tourist attraction. In West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), the LHK ministry has reopened Mount Rinjani on Lombok Island and Mount Tambora on Sumbawa Island in West Nusa Tenggara to climbers and tourists since April 1, 2021. Climbing tourism activities at the two sites had earlier been closed since January 1, 2021, due to inhospitable weather in the mountains that endanger human life. "Climbing activities at Mount Rinjani are still limited to a maximum quota of 50 percent of the normal capacity, and the length of the climbers' stay is only three days and two nights," Head of the Mount Rinjani National Park (TNGR) Dedy Asriady remarked. Tourists keen on conducting climbing activities are required to place an order for climbing tickets through the e-Rinjani application downloadable via the Playstore. The TNGR officers also enforce stringent COVID-19 health protocols on tourists, right from the entrance, at the tourist sites and while leaving the national park area. Moreover, three COVID-19 green zones in Bali are planned to be opened from July this year amid a marked decline in the number of Indonesia's daily coronavirus disease cases and the nationwide mass vaccination campaign. "I see that in the province of Bali we want to concentrate on three designated green zones, specifically Ubud, Sanur, and Nusa Dua. We are optimistic of these becoming green zones, green areas that we can fully open to tourists," President Joko Widodo remarked while witnessing a mass vaccination campaign at Puri Saren Agung, Gianyar District, Bali, recently. Ubud is located in Gianyar District, Sanur lies in Denpasar City, and Nusa Dua is situated in Badung District. The Bali authorities had administered COVID-19 vaccines to tourism workers, Balinese religious leaders, and cultural and youth representatives, among others. "Hence, later, they (tourists) will feel safe and comfortable to stay in Bali. With our focus on these three zones, revival of the tourism sector in Bali Province will start," he affirmed. – AntaraNews.Com