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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China expects new Covid-19 cases to rise in coming days, affected areas to expand
China's new Covid-19 infections will increase in coming days and the areas affected by the epidemic may continue to expand, a health official said.
The current outbreak in China is caused by the Delta variant from overseas, National Health Commission official Wu Liangyou said at a briefing in Beijing on Sunday (Oct 24).
The wave of infections spread to 11 provinces in the week from Oct 17, commission spokesman Mi Feng said at the briefing. - Straits Times
Relaxation, SOP non-compliance likely reasons behind sporadic virus spread in Sabah
The relaxation of various restrictions plus the declining adherence of the standard operating procedures (SOP) are likely contributing to the high number of symptomatic or sporadic cases in Sabah.
Sabah Covid-19 spokesman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said people's eagerness to return to their pre-pandemic lifestyle led to negligence in adhering to the SOP while socialising at the workplace and in public.
"Sabah reported 502 cases today, a drop of 90 cases compared to yesterday. However, the number of new cases detected via symptomatic screenings was high. - New Straits Times
Quietly into the night
Some might see it as the invisible economy, as it only happens at night. However, we cannot help admitting that the night-time economy brings valuable economic, social and cultural sparkle to urban areas.
Night-time economies are an important part of Thailand's broader tourism business which saw 40 million visitors annually, generating revenue of about 2 trillion baht a year before the pandemic.
The term night-time economy is used to describe a wide range of economic activities between 6pm and 6am. It normally categorises activities into five subcategories: food service, bars, arts, venues, and sport and recreation. - Bangkok Post
Sinovac delivery pushes PH closer to 100-M doses goal
The delivery of three million doses of Sinovac Covid-19 vaccines on Sunday night moved the country closer to its goal of 100 million doses by the end of the month.
Philippine Airlines Flight PR359 landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 past 6 p.m. carrying the life-saving jabs – two million procured by the government and one million donated by China.
"We are 2.5 million short of our target 100 million we have now 97,678,340 and we will have more arriving next week," National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said in an interview. - Philippine News Agency
Binh Thuan prepares to welcome tourists back
Binh Thuan Province, famous for beautiful beaches in Phan Thiet and spectacular Mui Ne sand dunes, has reopened and prepared to welcome tourists back for vacations in the new normal period.
The provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has issued temporary instructions for the operations of accommodations and sightseeing and food services.
All activities are allowed to operate when ensuring safety requirements, and visitors must be fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19. - Vietnam News
QR code efficiency questions asked across provinces
The efficiency and accuracy of the “StopCovid QR Vaccine” codes, being promoted by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications for use across the country, is being questioned, with some provinces seemingly unaware of its roll-out.
The Ministry of Posts announced that the system went live on October 18.
“The QR code has three main functions, (1) Facilitate the search for people in contact with Covid-19, (2) Control the enforcement of quarantine, and (3) Identify those who are inoculated against the Covid-19 vaccine,” the statement said. - Khmer Times
Junta turns to retired soldiers amid heavy losses and a slide in recruitment
Myanmar’s military is increasingly relying on retired soldiers to replenish its ranks, as months of conflict take a heavy toll on troops and recruitment efforts, according to military sources.
In an effort to bolster its strength in restive regions, the regime has started offering incentives to former military personnel to return to uniform, one ex-soldier who retired in 2012 told Myanmar Now.
Retired soldiers willing to return to active duty have been told that they can keep their pensions and will be restored to their former rank and salary if they rejoin the army, according to the ex-soldier, who said he served on the frontlines in Kayin State and Ayeyarwady Region for 13 years. - Myanmar NOW
Jakarta allows sports centres to reopen for sports activities
The Jakarta Youth and Sports Office allowed sports activities to resume at sports centres with a 50 percent capacity limit as the province's public activities restriction (PPKM) status has improved to level 2.
"As the province's PPKM status improved to level 2, activities at sports centres in Jakarta could resume, based on the Jakarta Youth and Sports Office Decree No 101 of 2021," the office confirmed in its official Instagram page disporadkijkt on Sunday.
Indoor and outdoor sports centres in Jakarta were allowed to reopen with capacity limit restrictions and health protocol enforcement applied, the office stated. - AntaraNews.Com