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.
Europe tightens Covid-19 curbs as Omicron spreads 'at lightning speed'
Nations across Europe have been tightening restrictions to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, and on Saturday (Dec 18), the Netherlands became the first European country to announce a full lockdown to fight the variant.
Dutch leaders ordered the closure of all non-essential shops, bars, restaurants, gyms, outdoor sports, cultural venues and schools from Sunday (Dec 19) until mid-January.
"It's terrible," Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte acknowledged on Saturday during a televised news conference. - Straits Times
'Endemic phase still a far-off goal'
Malaysia is still far from transitioning into the endemic phase amid the presence of the more transmissible Omicron variant coupled with the low number of people having received Covid-19 booster shots.
Experts said additional measures were needed to contain the virus spread, which included ramping up the administering of booster doses and adding booster jabs as being "fully vaccinated".
Epidemiologist Professor Datuk Dr Awang Bulgiba Awang Mahmud of Universiti Malaya said Malaysia should make plans for the long-term management of Covid-19, but should not transition into an endemic phase until data showed otherwise. - New Straits Times
Thais test positive for Omicron
Eight Thais, from two tour groups, tested positive for the Omicron coronavirus variant after returning from an annual pilgrimage to the Islamic holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
Authorities have urged people not to panic over the imported cases as those infected have been quarantined.
Preeda Chueaphudee, adviser to the Chularatchamontri -- the country's Muslim spiritual leader -- said about 30 Thais returning from a pilgrimage arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport on Dec 15. - Bangkok Post
PH Navy deploys 19-ship flotilla for 'Odette' relief ops
The Philippine Navy (PN), through the Philippine Fleet, is now assembling a "19-ship humanitarian aid-focused flotilla" that will be deployed in areas severely devastated by Typhoon Odette.
"This relief flotilla consists of seven sealift vessels for the transport of relief goods and locally stranded individuals, two patrol ships for command and control, eight other watercraft as general support vessels. Meanwhile, the Presidential Yacht, BRP Ang Pangulo (AC-S25) has been repurposed as a hospital ship," the Philippine Fleet said in a Facebook post Sunday night.
It added that BRP Tarlac (LD-601), BRP Bacolod City (LS-550), BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS-17), BRP Iwak (LC-289), BRP Agta (LC-290) and BRP Ivatan LC-298) are to be deployed to augment ongoing humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts (HADR) in Cebu, Palawan, and Northern Mindanao specially Surigao, Dinagat and Siargao Islands. - Philippine News Agency
People buy Christmas presents to help forget pandemic
Without a significant Christian community, the purchasing power for pine trees and decorations for Christmas was still expected to increase in Vietnam as people long for a festive season after a long period of social distancing.
Since the beginning of December, decoration shops in Hanoi and HCM City have been bustling with products and services for the Christmas season of 2021 as people love the festival atmosphere.
Buying a bunch of decorations for her used-tree in Hang Ma Street, Hoang Dieu Quynh, told Vietnam News: “I buy all the colours to lighten my room until the New Year to forget the days staying at home with no one around.” - Vietnam News
February 20 Community Event Cambodia, 10 months, 120,416 infected cases, 3,005 deaths,19857 imported cases and now Omicron
On Sunday, Dr. Or Vandine, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Health and Chairwoman of the National Ad-hoc Commission for COVID-19 Vaccination, predicted that 2022 will be the year of Omicron travelling around the world including Cambodia.
Ironically, this came on the eve of the very infamous and deadly 10 months anniversary of the deadly February 20 Community Event, caused by four Chinese escapees from what was considered a highly secure five star hotel, the Sokha Hotel in Phnom Penh.
The health secretary of state made the remark in a message on social media on Dec. 19, after Cambodia detected two more cases of Omicron COVID variant. - Khmer Times
At least 20 killed in air raid on Magway village
At least 20 people were killed when the military deployed helicopters to carry out a surprise attack on the village of Hnan Khar in Magway Region’s Gangaw Township on Friday, according to resistance forces active in the area.
The attack started at around 2pm on Friday and lasted about 40 minutes, a spokesperson for the Yaw Defence Force (YDF) told Myanmar Now on Sunday.
Three helicopters were involved in the assault, said the YDF spokesperson, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons. - Myanmar NOW
Floods isolate thousands of villagers in West Sumatra
Floods swamped five hamlets in Tiku Lima Jorong Village in Tanjungmutiara Sub-district, Agam District, West Sumatra Province, isolating at least 4,000 villagers as the flooding cut off roads connecting the areas to other villages.
The flood-affected hamlets were Muaro Putih, Subang-subang, Labuhan, Gadih Angik and Masang, Anaswar, secretary of the Tiku LIma Jorong Village Administration, said here on Sunday.
The flooding was triggered by heavy rains that caused Batang Masang and Batang Antokan Rivers to spill over their banks. - AntaraNews.Com