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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Cities around the world pare back New Year celebrations again due to Covid-19
As the Omicron variant drives coronavirus infection rates to their highest levels of the pandemic in many parts of the world, major cities have scaled down or cancelled New Year's Eve events for a second consecutive year.
Only months ago, expanding Covid-19 vaccinations and loosening travel rules had promised a return of raucous New Year gatherings amid hopes that the pandemic might finally be waning. But the emergence of Omicron - the highly transmissible variant that is now fuelling record surges in many nations - has prompted governments to reinstate travel restrictions, mask mandates and bans on large gatherings.
Even as early studies suggest that Omicron produces less severe illness, experts warn that the staggering caseload could still overwhelm health systems. - Straits Times
All field hospitals now closed
All 10 Armed Forces field hospitals set up to treat Covid-19 patients nationwide have ceased operations.
The final two field hospitals to cease operations today were those at the Penang and Kepala Batas Hospitals.
The other field hospitals were in Johor Baru, Selayang, Alor Star (within the Pokok Sena prison), Labuan, Tawau, Kapit and the Disaster Management Zone. - New Straits Times
Govt staff to WFH next week
Government officials will work from home after New Year while online classes may be brought back as part of efforts to contain the outbreak of the Omicron coronavirus variant, says the Public Health Ministry.
The private sector is also being encouraged to follow suit by encouraging staff to work from home.
Speaking before a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said the ministry submitted scenarios on the Omicron outbreak to the cabinet. - Bangkok Post
US announces add'l P950-M 'Odette' aid
The United States government on Wednesday announced an additional USD19 million (approximately PHP950 million) in humanitarian aid to help communities affected by Typhoon Odette, bringing its total assistance to the Philippines to more than PHP1 billion.
“The United States is pleased to announce additional and significant assistance of PHP950 million, which brings our total amount of aid for Typhoon Odette to over PHP1 billion. We stand steadfast with our long-standing friend, partner, and ally in helping support communities devastated by the typhoon,” US Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava said in a statement.
Through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the additional aid will provide food, water, hygiene supplies, and shelter assistance to the affected population. - Philippine News Agency
Ministry points out challenges in applying digital technology
The COVID-19 pandemic has boosted enterprises to change models, shifting business activities to digital platforms to find more markets, cut costs and improve operational efficiency.
Digital transformation has taken place in recent years as a natural need to meet changes in consumer behaviour and management demand.
Many businesses have applied software solutions in sales management, online marketing, distribution channel management, business administration, and creating new products and services. - Vietnam News
WHO warns of Omicron overload as Cambodia’s cases increase to 33 since December 14
The WHO warned Tuesday that the Omicron coronavirus variant could lead to overwhelmed healthcare systems even though early studies suggest it leads to milder disease, as China and Germany brought back tough restrictions to stamp out new infection surges and Cambodia’s Omicron infections jumped to 33 since the first cases were detected on December 14.
To date, all of Cambodia’s Omicron variant cases were from inbound passengers from abroad, leading to flights from Thailand to Cambodia being decreased while that from Malaysia set to increase in January, 2022.
China put hundreds of thousands more people under lockdown, while infections hit new highs in multiple US states and European countries. - Khmer Times
Heavy casualties reported in clashes near Indawgyi
Myanmar’s military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) clashed repeatedly last Friday, resulting in heavy losses for both sides, according to KIA information officer Col Naw Bu.
Most of the fighting took place north of Kachin State’s Indawgyi Lake as a column of junta troops made its way to Hpakant Township, he said.
The column was attacked twice - once near the village of Maw Gon Lon at around 2pm and again about two hours later near Hseng Taung, another village in the area. - Myanmar NOW
Govt applying four strategies to handle Omicron variant
The Indonesian government is applying four strategies to handle and prevent the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
The four strategies are tight health protocols (washing hands, wearing masks, and social distancing), surveillance (testing, tracing, and self-isolating), vaccination, and treatment, Communication and Informatics Minister Johnny G. Plate said in a written statement received on Tuesday.
Another scenario would be tightening quarantine for international travelers since 98 percent of Omicron cases in Indonesia have been imported, he added. - AntaraNews.Com