PAKISTAN
Troops deployed to fight virus: Dawn
March 24, 2020
Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday ordered deployment of troops and military’s medical resources to fight Covid-19 alongside the national health infrastructure after the Ministry of Interior approved the summaries it had received in this regard from the provincial governments over the past two days amid surging number of patients infected with novel coronavirus. Click here to read...a
AFGHANISTAN
US Reducing Aid to Afghanistan over Political Impasse: Tolo
March 24, 2020
The US government on Monday announced an immediate reduction of its assistance by $1 billion this year because of the Afghan leaders’ failure to agree on an inclusive government. This comes after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s 7-hour visit to Kabul on Monday where he met with President Ashraf Ghani and his political opponent Abdullah Abdullah, separately, and in a joint meeting. But the meetings ended without a result. Click here to read...a
BANGLADESH
Coronavirus: Bangladesh to deploy armed forces on Tuesday: Dhaka Tribune
March 24, 2020
Bangladesh’s armed forces will start assisting the administration in every divisional and district towns around the country from Tuesday, to ensure that people are maintaining social distance and taking precautionary measures to prevent the novel coronavirus from spreading further. Click here to read...a
MYANMAR
No COVID-19 cases yet, but Myanmar must be vigilant: Myanmar Times
March 24, 2020
As of Monday, 167 countries and territories around the world had confirmed more than 339,000 cases of COVID-19. Since the outbreak originated in Wuhan, China, the virus has spread rapidly, and its epicentre has shifted from China to Europe. Italy is facing a serious crisis with uncontrollable transmission of the virus, and African countries have recently confirmed cases. Myanmar is among the few countries that have reported no cases of COVID-19. The others, as of Sunday, were Laos, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Western Sahara, Mali, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan. Myanmar and Laos are notable because they border and have close contacts with China. Click here to read...a
NEPAL
Government has banned gatherings of over 25 people, but its own agencies and House panel are ignoring the fiat: The Kathmandu Post
March 24, 2020
The federal parliament has been postponed indefinitely and most of the government offices have been closed to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Similarly, the government has barred gatherings of more than 25 people. Click here to read...a
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka extends nationwide curfew to fight coronavirus pandemic: Al Jazeera
March 24, 2020
Sri Lanka has extended its nationwide curfew to combat the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic, with total cases of infection in the country reaching almost 100. The countrywide curfew - imposed last week and due to expire on Monday morning - has now been extended in Colombo, Gampaha, Puttalam, Jaffna, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Mannar districts until Friday and in all other districts until Thursday, according to a statement by the president's office on Monday. Click here to read...a
BHUTAN
His Majesty addresses the nation on Covid-19: Kuenselonline
March 24, 2020
Starting today, our land borders will be sealed. We are compelled to take this drastic measure in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. As you have been made aware through various government bulletins, the virus is spreading, causing immense disruption worldwide, and drawing closer to us each day. At such a time, the health and safety of the people of Bhutan is of the greatest priority, and as such, we are putting in place every measure necessary to safeguard the people of Bhutan. Click here to read...a
CHINA
Coronavirus could linger in Europe for two years, Chinese expert says: South China Morning Post
March 24, 2020
A Chinese expert on infectious diseases said Europe must give up on the idea that the Covid-19 pandemic will be over soon and instead prepare for a battle that could last for up to two years. The warning – from Zhang Wenhong, head of Shanghai’s Covid-19 clinical expert team – came as European countries, including Italy, Spain and Germany, are experiencing sharp rises in the number of infections and deaths, while China is working to keep out imported cases after reporting only one new domestic case in the past four days. Click here to read...a
US told to stop politicization of pandemic: China Daily
March 24, 2020
Beijing urged Washington on Monday to stop politicizing the novel coronavirus and stigmatizing China, reiterating that the US attempt to shift responsibility for its lackluster response to the COVID-19 pandemic is "immoral and irresponsible". Diverting attention or shifting blame will not help countries contain the pandemic, nor is it helpful for promoting international cooperation in combating the virus, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a daily news briefing. Click here to read...a
