These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
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Stay-home notice cut to 14 days for travellers from high-risk areas, but additional Covid-19 rapid tests a must
All new travellers arriving from high-risk countries and regions must be placed on a 14-day stay-home notice (SHN) from Wednesday (June 23) instead of 21 days at dedicated facilities. However, they must take an antigen rapid test using self-test kits on the third, seventh and eleventh day after arriving in Singapore. The Ministry of Health said in a statement on Wednesday that while there is increased transmissibility with the new variants of concern, it found no evidence - from both overseas and local data - that these variants come with longer incubation periods. It added that since the 21-day SHN for all travellers with recent travel history to higher risk countries or regions was implemented from May 8, there were 270 imported cases among such travellers as of Tuesday. "All of them had incubation periods well within the 14-day window. As such, we will reduce the SHN period from 21 days back to 14 days," said MOH. However, to identify potential infection cases early and provide infected travellers with appropriate medical care as soon as possible, travellers will be required to test themselves regularly with antigen rapid test self-test kits on Days 3, 7 and 11 of their arrival in Singapore, while serving their SHN. This is on top of the Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests they have to take on arrival in Singapore, and on Day 14 of their arrival, before they finish their SHN. – The Straits Times
Covid-19: PPIM lodges report against MoH for not using Ivermectin
The Malaysia Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) has lodged a police report against the Health Ministry for refusing to use Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug, to prevent the spread of the Covid-19. In a statement today, PPIM said the report was made at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters at 11am. Its lead activist Datuk Nadzim Johan said this was among the initiatives by the non-governmental organisation in fighting for consumer rights on the use of alternative methods and treatment in preventing Covid-19. "The Health Ministry's refusal to consider the effectiveness of Ivermectin is a criminal offence as that had caused more than 2,300 Covid-19 patients to die in Malaysia. "Numerous clinical trials have proven that Ivermectin is able to reduce the risk of infection at 88 per cent and reduce the fatality rate at 83 per cent, many prophylaxes have also confirmed it can reduce Covid-19 transmissions. "Covid-19 deaths are increasing every day, we should be open and accept the views of others as long as it is proven effective to prevent the spread of Covid-19," he said. PPIM also urged the government and the Ministry to accept Ivermectin as a treatment as it has been proven effective in several countries that have now managed to reduce the number of Covid-19 cases and against new variants. On June 5, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said his ministry and the Institute for Clinical Research (ICR) had started clinical trials to study the use and efficacy of Ivermectin for high-risk Covid-19 patients at 12 of the ministry's hospitals. Dr Noor Hisham said the trials were approved by the ministry's Medical Research and Ethics Committee on May 25. He said Ivermectin is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved anti-parasitic drug widely used for treating several neglected tropical diseases, including onchocerciasis, strongyloidiasis and helminthiases. However, the evidence was inconclusive to recommend routine use of Ivermectin for Covid-19 patients. He said there is an ongoing need for adequately powered, well-designed, and well-conducted clinical trials for evidence-based guidance on the role of Ivermectin in the treatment of Covid-19. – New Straits Times
Covid beds running out
Beds designated for patients in critical condition at all state-run hospitals in Bangkok are now fully occupied by Covid-19 infected patients with severe symptoms, while the last 20 of such beds are strictly reserved for emergency patients, health authorities said on Tuesday. Under the current circumstances, infected patients' access to hospital beds with life-saving equipment has become extremely limited, said Dr Somsak Akksilp, director-general of the Department of Medical Services. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) recorded 35 more Covid-19 fatalities and 4,059 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday. Of the new cases, 3,963 were found in the general population, 75 among prison inmates and the rest were imported cases, said Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin, CCSA spokesman. The hospital bed shortage situation is of particular concern now, especially since demand for this specific type of hospital bed in the so-called yellow and red groups is high, he said. Patients in the yellow group are those with moderate symptoms that run the risk of developing into a severe condition, while patients in the red group are already exhibiting serious symptoms, Dr Somsak said. Over the past couple of months, Bangkok and its surrounding provinces have continued to record more than 1,000 new cases of Covid-19 infections per day, which has resulted in a sharp increase in the number of infected patients in both the yellow and red groups, he said. As of Monday, all 409 hospital beds for patients with serious symptoms were fully occupied by Covid-19 patients in critical condition. The last 20 beds were reserved for emergency Covid-19 patients urgently requiring an operation or other serious medical interventions, Dr Somsak added. Only about 300 hospital beds for patients in the yellow group are available as 3,937 others are already occupied, he said. The limited number of hospital beds is stalling the work of medical personnel tasked with finding beds for patients who need to be urgently admitted to hospital for treatment, especially in the capital, he said. Clinical Professor Dr Adune Ratanawichitrasin, a deputy dean at the Faculty of Medicine of Siriraj Hospital, meanwhile warned in a Facebook post that the Covid-19 outbreak in Bangkok is reaching a critical point. Hospitals are being flooded with an overwhelming number of Covid-19 patients again, in a situation similar to the serious hospital bed shortage that happened late last month, he said. – Bangkok Post
Solon wants DepEd procurement of 39,000 laptops for teachers probed
A House leader wants the “questionable” procurement of 39,000 laptop computers by the Department of Education (DepEd) for public school teachers probed. Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera-Dy said Wednesday she received information that the contract for the supply and delivery of the laptops for public school teachers is set to be awarded not to the lowest bidder, but to the second-lowest bidder. Herrera-Dy said this is contrary to the mandate of Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act. “We received information that the contract was practically secured by the second-lowest bidder at almost P2.3 billion, which is P167 million higher than the bid of the lowest bidder,” Herrera-Dy said in a statement. “This is quite alarming and unacceptable because the P167 million that the government stands to lose from this project could be used elsewhere, especially during this pandemic,” she added. Herrera-Dy said that the lowest bidder supposedly got a post-disqualification notice for allegedly not complying with the requirements, including the required specification for the laptop carrying bag. The lawmaker said the requirement was ballistic nylon, but the lowest bidder submitted as a sample a bag made from 100 percent polyester. “Bakit naman ang laptop bag at hindi ang specs ng computer ang naging basehan sa pag-award ng contract sa pagbili ng laptop computers para sa mga guro natin sa public school? Nang dahil lang sa bag?” Herrera-Dy said. (Why was the laptop bag and not the specifications of the computer used as the basis in awarding the contract for our teachers in public school? Just because of the bag the bidder was disqualified?) “Mas importante pa pala ang bag na may kabuuang halaga ng P167 million kesa sa specs ng computer. Hindi ba may mali rito?” she added. (The bag is apparently more important even if it will cost P167 million more. Isn’t something wrong here?) Herrera-Dy said Congress must do something to prevent the government from getting short-changed in procurement projects using people’s money. DepEd earlier said it was procuring laptops for around 68,500 personnel amid the distance learning system being implemented in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. – INQUIRER.net
Retailers join hands for Govt’s dual goal of containing COVID, boosting economy
A message from a woman in Ha Noi, Pham Hoa, saying “I have bought all foods and necessary stuff through zalo” has excited many of her friends in recent days, especially those in HCM City, where a semi-lockdown and social distancing continues for a fortnight. In recent weeks, after a new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic began, buying food and other essential goods for the house while still complying with the Ministry of Heath’s 5K message (Khau trang [facemask]- Khu khuan [disinfection] – Khoang cach [distance] – Khong tu tap [no gathering] – Khai bao y te [health declaration]) to protect themselves and their families is a common concern for housewives. Buying goods through zalo, the free messaging app, is not totally new but it was used only by small companies and sellers. But during the social distancing now it has been adopted by large retailers too. In Hoa’s case, she bought goods from MM Mega Market, a giant wholesaler with a presence around the country. “As soon as I send a message asking for things I want to buy, they reply and then ship products to my door.” She said each MM Mega Market store has its own zalo number, and “You can easily buy food and other stuff.” MM Mega Market’s zalo order indicates clearly that retailers are making every effort to join hands with the Government to successfully achieve its dual goal of containing the outbreak and keeping the economy on track. Ensuring adequate supply of goods and diversifying the purchasing methods and shopping experiences are among a series of effective measures retailers have taken. Besides, thanks to all this, customers can buy stuff while maintaining the mandated social distance, and merchants are able to earn some income. Speaking to Viet Nam News, MM Mega Market said it was boosting multi-channel sales to offer its customers convenient and safe shopping amid the pandemic. “MM Mega Market is making every effort to join hands with the Vietnamese Government and businesses to achieve the dual goal of containing the outbreak and keeping the economy on track,” Tran Kim Nga, foreign relation director at MM Mega Market, said. Shopee, the country’s top e-commerce platform, announced to see an increasing number of consumers using e-commerce amid the pandemic. To help customers and merchants, it has launched a number of promotional programmes for essential items. A programme called ‘O nha khong kho, Ship Shopee lo’ offers many products with a 50 per cent discount and, more importantly, free delivery. It has been around for weeks and will continue. Through another programme, ‘Shopee Mart-Sieu Thị 0 dong tai nha’, the platform offers a number of promotional programmes on foods, products protecting health and essential goods with free shipping. “We have worked closely with brands and sellers during this period to ensure that we offer buyers a wide selection of genuine products ranging from everyday items to high-end items that satisfy their needs,” a representative of Shopee told Viet Nam News. “At the same time, to help brands, sellers and businesses overcome difficulties caused by the epidemic, we have also rolled out many benefit packages. There are many free benefits for the seller.” "Shopee is strengthening its logistics system," he said. “We are working closely with our transport partners and are optimising the operation of our warehouse system,” he explained. “These enable sellers and brands to be more efficient at fulfilling orders, allowing them to maximise sales and improve customer satisfaction even during peak shopping time.” To keep customers amused amid social distancing, many e-commerce platforms also combining shopping with entertainment programmes. Home entertainment has become a new form chosen by people across the country. E-commerce platforms have constantly updated many forms of online entertainment such as game stores and interactive live-stream to amuse users. For instance, the Lazada Supershow at the beginning of this month attracted 17 million views, two million views on the Lazada app, a record number in the region, underlining the fact that Vietnamese users are embracing online shopping platforms for home entertainment. Lazada said the number of customers following LazLive during its summer festival, a function of livestream sale, increased four times year-on-year. The total value of orders on this channel increased 19 times. In addition to helping customers, Lazada also supports SMEs with e-commerce to help them overcome the pandemic-related difficulties. It helps farmers sell their produce on its platform. Each sector and company is making an effort to join hands with the Government in the fight against COVID, all with different plans but the same goals. – Viet Nam News
Nearly 60,000 people vaccinated on first day of provincial vaccination campaign
Following the completion and ceasing of the vaccination campaign in the capital on June 22, the army began commencing the provincial vaccination campaign. Almost 60,000 people received their first dose of the vaccine. According to reports, vaccination operations were carried out in Preah Sihanouk, Koh Kong, Kampong Speu, and Takeo. The army vaccinated 54,309 people, 34, 572 females, on the first day. Deputy Commander of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Chief of Operation Covid-19 Vaccination, General Ith Sarath, plans to visit other provinces. The General noted that due to the army’s experience with the vaccination campaign procedures and operations in Phnom Penh, commencing the campaign in the provinces would pose less of a challenge due to the better cooperation of the local authorities. He also noted that the people in the provinces have begun to recognize the importance of vaccines. The General also called on the people to comply with the safety measures implemented by the Ministry of Health. – Khmer Times
Leader of resistance force in Magwe Region shot dead
A leader of a resistance group based in Magwe Region’s Gangaw Township was killed during a clash with regime forces on Sunday, according to family members. Kyaw San Oo, a 24-year-old former member of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU), was shot dead during the clash near the village of Bawpyin in Gangaw. “We were told that he was fatally shot in the head after getting injured in the thigh. When he was no longer able to run due to his injury, a member of the regime’s police force shot him in the temple at close range,” said a relative of Kyaw San Oo. Regime forces attacked the Gangaw People’s Defence Force (PDF) after their location was revealed by an informant. Two PDF fighters, including Kyaw San Oo, and two regime troops were killed in the shootout, according to Gangaw locals. Regime police took the body of Kyaw San Oo after the clash and told his family on Monday afternoon to retrieve it from the Gangaw Hospital, the relative said. “We had to go get his body right away and had it cremated at around 4pm at a village cemetery,” he added. Further information about the other person killed in the clash was not available at the time of reporting. Executing an injured enemy at close range violates the code of conduct for soldiers, said army defector Tun Myat Aung, who was a captain before leaving the military. “We can’t kill prisoners of war and detainees. It’s part of the code of ethics for soldiers regarding treatment of their enemies,” he said. The regime has not released a statement regarding the clash or the death of Kyaw San Oo. Kyaw San Oo was an active member of the Pakokku University Student Union and participated in the ABFSU’s activities from 2012 to 2019, said Min Htet Myat, who is also a student activist from Meikhtila. “He regularly led the organisation’s activities. He did many things for the Gangaw region even after he finished university,” Min Htet Myat told Myanmar Now. “It is such a great loss of a comrade and a good friend. I am really sorry that he died halfway through the journey, even though he could do so much more,” he added. Kyaw San Oo’s family said they were proud of him and his firm political stance. “We wish 10 more people like him could emerge even though he was killed,” said one relative. According to a tally by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, at least 875 people have been killed by regime forces since the military seized power in a coup on February 1. The vast majority have been unarmed protesters and bystanders killed in crackdowns and raids. – Myanmar NOW
EU to support Indonesia's sustainable palm oil push: Czech Republic
Czech Environment Minister Richard Brabec has assured that the European Union (EU), under the presidency of the Czech Republic, will support Indonesia’s efforts to develop sustainable palm oil. He also stressed that the EU will, by no means, impose any import ban on Indonesian palm oil. To that end, the Czech Republic will continue to coordinate and consult with the European commission and parliament to support Indonesia’s efforts, he said following a meeting with Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, in Jakarta. Czech Ambassador to Indonesia, Jaroslav Dolecek, Vice Minister of Industry and Trade, Martina Tauberová, and president of the Czech Republic Industrial Confederation, Jaroslav Hanák, also attended the meeting. During the meeting, the two countries decided to intensify cooperation in environmental conservation, including the handling of urban garbage and the management of plastic waste, in which the Czech Republic has excellence, experience, and expertise. They also identified several areas of cooperation in the field of renewable energy, including geothermal and solar energy, to lower gas emissions and the development of battery technology for electric cars. As a fellow coal producer, the Czech Republic is ready to assist Indonesia in the use of clean and environmentally friendly coal, Brabec said. During the meeting, the two countries also agreed on an exchange of experts in the field of mineral resources through the creation of a working group under the bilateral cooperation mechanism. Indonesia has made persistent efforts to meet the nationally determined contributions (NDC), in accordance with the target of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Hartarto said. Indonesia is strongly committed to achieving the target of reducing gas emissions by 29 percent on a self-reliant basis and by 41 percent with international support and collaboration, he added. During the meeting, the Czech Republic lauded Indonesia’s efforts to lower the deforestation rate in the country and reiterated its readiness to support and work more closely with Indonesia in the field of forestry. – AntaraNews.Com