COVID-19: Big gatherings suspended in many ASEAN countries
The Lao Government has decided to postpone all big meetings gathering large number of people for major celebrations in 2020 as a strong measure to prevent outbreaks of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Hanoi (VNA) – The Lao Government hasdecided to postpone all big meetings gathering large number of people for majorcelebrations in 2020 as a strong measure to prevent outbreaks of thecoronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Vice President Khampjam Viphavanh, who is headof the national steering committee for important celebration events of the LaoParty and State, said on March 12 that amid the complicated developments of theCOVID-19 epidemic, Laos will cancel all massive public gatherings to celebratemajor anniversaries planned for 2020 such as the 65th founding anniversary ofthe Lao People's Revolutionary Party (March 20), the 45th National Day(December 2) and the 100th birth anniversary of President Kaysone Phomvihane(October 13).
The celebration of those anniversaries will beconducted through the issue of publications and via the mass media.
The Vice President also required agencies at alllevels and localities to postpone all events with big gatherings, and urged thepublic to carry out strict precautions to protect themselves.
The Southeast Asian country has yet to report anyconfirmed case of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the Education Ministry of Malaysia onMarch 13 announced the suspension of all outdoor assemblies and sportsactivities at schools nationwide.
In a statement, the ministry said that studentsare banned from gathering in large groups until the end of March as part ofefforts to halt the spread of the coronavirus.
In Thailand, Thiravat Hemachudha, director ofthe Health Science Centre of Emerging Diseases at Chulalongkorn University,warned that people returning from cities to their home provinces for SongkranNew Year Festival could be a vector for spreading the coronavirus disease toolder members of their families.
Thiravat, an epidemiologist specialising inemerging diseases, said large gatherings of local and foreign holidaymakers forparties could be a factor accelerating the spread of the disease if healthmeasures to contain it are not strictly enforced.
By March 13 morning, Thailand reported 75confirmed infection cases, including one fatality./.
Indonesia’s Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan has said that the city administration would limit public interaction as a precautionary measure to protect local residents from the COVID-19 outbreak.
Indonesia is set to delay import duties and corporate income tax payments for six months while also expediting the repayment of overpaid taxes in new fiscal measures to shield the economy as the COVID-19 outbreak pressures businesses.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on March 12 announced a halt on domestic land, sea and air travel to and from Manila, as well as a launch of community quarantine measures in what he called a "lockdown" of the capital to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2.
The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has decided to not allow a Bahamas-flagged cruise ship to dock in the southern hub in order to ease the risk of the spread of COVID-19, the committee’s office said on March 13.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto and EAEU Trade Minister Andrey Slepnev jointly declared the conclusion of FTA talks on the sidelines of the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2025), according to the statement.
The article stressed that throughout his revolutionary career, the founder of modern Vietnam consistently regarded the revolutionary press as a vital part of the Vietnamese Party’s and nation’s revolutionary struggle.
Pichai said the trade talks with the US are important and need to move forward professionally, without regard for any political changes in Thailand, believing that Thailand has clear principles, guidelines and procedures in place.
The tax adjustment supports the Malaysian Government’s strategy to reduce reliance on foreign food supply chains and to assist domestic farmers, a finance official has said.
The proposed venue is located in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok, featuring eight public sites, including Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal and several nearby parks.
Connectivity is expected to improve further with the completion of the fifth Laos–Thailand Friendship Bridge by the end of 2025, facilitating logistics and agricultural exports to Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
Two naval gunboats intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 1.5 tonnes of methamphetamine hydrochloride off the coast of the main island of Luzon just before dawn, in a joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
In the today context of socio-economic development and growth, the professionalism of Vietnam’s revolutionary journalists continues to rise, guided by exemplary mastery of new information technologies and the modernisation of their founding principles to preserve the enduring values of revolutionary journalism.
Thai Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Vuttikrai Leewiraphan Thailand's formal proposal will be substantial enough for the US to consider further detailed negotiations. He hoped for a tariff rate not exceeding 10% and suggested that the US might extend the negotiation period if an agreement is not reached by the July 8 deadline.
Organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Association of Thai Silk & Culture Promotions, the event honors Her Majesty the Queen on her 47th birthday anniversary and promotes Thai craftsmanship on an international stage.
Prensa Latina's recent article on Vietnam’s assurance of smooth and effective transition to a leaner structure highlighted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s latest directions on implementing 28 resolutions regarding the decentralisation and delegation of authority.
The lab focuses on four key thematic areas: energy transition and green innovation, sustainable agriculture, circular economy and sustainable cities, and nature-based solutions and biodiversity.
The key content of the document titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges" will be refined further in a seminar preceding the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.
This follows Telegram’s serious failure to address the content that has been repeatedly reported to them, despite various efforts of negotiation and cooperation made by MCMC, it said.
Efforts to empower women must transcend dialogue and translate into concrete commitments, including corporate pledges and government partnerships, according to the spouse of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The forum featured two in-depth discussion sessions, engaging representatives from governments, think tanks, and businesses from both ASEAN and China, on how to forge closer ties for a common future.
The new FIFA Hub in Jakarta will not only support football development in Indonesia but also serve as a coordination centre for 21 football associations across Southeast and East Asia.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen reaffirmed Vietnam’s principled and consistent stance on the Palestine issue, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire across the entire Gaza Strip.
PM Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the determination of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, to utilise all viable regional mechanisms of the bloc and work with partners to de-escalate violence and restore a peace process led by Myanmar.
A Vientiane thoroughfare (Photo: Fair Dinkum) 
