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.
Stay informed with The ASEAN Post.
Singapore inks deal for antiviral pill to treat Covid-19 and its variants
The Republic has inked a supply and purchase agreement for an antiviral pill to treat Covid-19 that is said to be effective against all known variants of the virus, including the Delta variant.
The drug was developed by pharmaceutical firm Merck in the United States and Canada, together with Miami-based Ridgeback Biotherapeutics. Merck is known as MSD elsewhere in the world.
The drug will be available in Singapore once it has received authorisation and approval for use, said MSD in an announcement on Wednesday (Oct 6).
The Straits Times has contacted the Ministry of Health for comment.
Known as molnupiravir, the drug comes in pill form and targets an enzyme that the virus needs to make copies of itself, by introducing errors into its genetic code.
This particular enzyme - known as the viral polymerase - is conserved across different variants, making molnupiravir effective across the Gamma, Delta and Mu variants.
Data from clinical trials suggests the drug is most effective when given early in the course of infection, said MSD. - Straits Times
'Be vigilant, follow SOP'
Experts have cautioned the public against being lulled into a false sense of security over the downward trend in Covid-19 infection numbers.
They believe that although the numbers bode well for the country's overall pandemic situation, the public could not afford to let their guard down just yet.
Epidemiologist Associate Professor Dr Malina Osman believes that the reduced number of infections reflected the actual situation on the ground.
"In my opinion, the trend of infection is now on a downward pattern. Even though the number reported on Sunday is a weekend data, I think that overall it reflects the actual situation on the ground. - New Straits Times
PM thanks PPRP for poll nomination
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has welcomed the move by the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) to nominate him as its prime ministerial candidate in the next election, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Tuesday.
Emerging from the weekly cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the spokesman told a press conference that Gen Prayut responded positively to the PPRP's decision to name him as a potential prime ministerial candidate in the next poll.
"The prime minister welcomed the gesture and thanked the PPRP for placing its trust in him, [but] it's up to the people what they make of the next election," the spokesman said.
On Sept 30, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, in his capacity as leader of the PPRP, told party members that the PPRP would definitely put forth Gen Prayut's name as a PM candidate in the next election, which is expected to take place sometime next year.
With the PPRP's nomination in hand, Gen Prayut looks set to seek another term as premier. - Bangkok Post
DOT, BFP sign deal to boost safe tourism in Region 8
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) regional offices here have forged a partnership to boost responsible tourism restart in Eastern Visayas.
Top officials of the two agencies signed a memorandum of agreement late Tuesday as they committed to share the same task to promote safety among communities and guests.
Under the agreement, the BFP will intensify fire safety inspection of tourism enterprises and tourism sites in the region; conduct fire safety-related orientations and training; help promote the region’s tourism destination; conduct regular fire exit drill twice a year in all tourism enterprises; and conduct a regular clean-up drive in shorelines, access roads leading to tourism sites, riverbanks and waterways, and tourism destinations. - Philippine News Agency
Dengue fever prevention amid COVID-19 pandemic: readiness is a must
Amid the complicated development of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have mistaken dengue fever symptoms for COVID-19, which leads to a late or false diagnosis of dengue fever that can be fatal, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH).
Vietnam has so far this year recorded 49,113 cases of dengue fever and 18 deaths.
The fatalities were located in southern areas of the country, including Binh Phuoc, HCM City, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Ba Rịa-Vung Tau, Phu Yen, Soc Trang, Tay Ninh and Binh Thuan.
In order to ensure dengue fever treatment and reduce the fatality rate, the MoH has ordered leaders of hospitals, medical establishments and health departments nationwide to continue taking COVID-19 prevention and control measures while at the same time ensuring health examinations and treatment for other diseases, including dengue fever which is on the rise. - Vietnam News
Phnom Penh restrictions extended
The Governor of Phnom Penh has just announced that the ‘continued administrative measures by suspending work activities, occupations or businesses at high risk of spreading COVID-19 disease and private gatherings or gatherings in Phnom Penh’ have been extended again.
High risk businesses and activities have been suspended again for another 7 days, covering a period of 7 from October 8, 2021 to October 14, 2021.
During this time, the following following activities, occupations or businesses at high risk of contracting COVID-19 are suspended:
All gatherings or gatherings of people for all kinds of alcohol are prohibited. - Khmer Times
As pressure grows in a key region, Yaw people vow to continue the fight
Tin Myo Win tried repeatedly to talk his 16-year-old son out of joining the resistance movement against Myanmar’s military junta. In the end, however, the resident of Myin Thar, a village in Magway’s Gangaw Township, agreed to let him go.
After making this decision, he took his son, Naing Myo Tun, to a camp on the bank of the Myittha River where other young revolutionaries had gathered to prepare for the coming fight. Then he returned to his home to take his wife and daughter to a safe place at the base of a mountain west of the village.
Before he and his son parted ways, Tin Myo Win pointed out a few spots where Naing Myo Tun and his comrades could hide if necessary. He also told his son to change his shirt so he would be harder to see.
“He was wearing a red shirt, so I made him put on a black one,” he said, recalling his concern for his son’s safety. - Myanmar NOW
Some 29 COVID-19 cases in four PON XX clusters conduct self-isolation
The Papua Provincial COVID-19 Preventing and Handling Task Force (SGPP) has confirmed 29 new COVID-19 patients in the four clusters organizing the Papua National Sports Week (PON) XX are conducting self-isolation.
"The 29 people are conducting self-isolation at designated sites, including floating isolation centers aboard MV Tidar (Jayapura cluster) and MV Sirimau (Merauke cluster)," spokesperson for the task force, Dr. Silwanus Sumule, told ANTARA on Tuesday night.
The 29 people exposed to the coronavirus include athletes, officials, and members of the event’s organizing committee. - AntaraNews.Com