VIF Neighborhood News Digest: April 8, 2020

PAKISTAN

FATF grants unexpected relief to Pakistan amid pandemic: Dawn
April 8, 2020

Pakistan on Tuesday rece­ived an unexpected relief when it was given a five-month grace period by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to submit its performance report on 13 outstanding benchmarks for foolproof arrangements against money laundering and terror financing. “We have just received an intimation from FATF through the State Bank of Pakistan that our review scheduled for June 21-26 in Beijing has been postponed,” a senior government official told Dawn. The country’s performance would now be reviewed in October. Click here to read.... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Andarabi: All Kabul Roads Will be Blocked: TOLO
April 8, 2020

The Afghan acting minister of interior warned on Tuesday that Kabul city will be locked down completely starting from tomorrow morning (Wednesday) to prevent the outbreak of COVID-19. Massoud Andarabi, the acting minister, said that he has tasked 1,600 police and 400 vehicles to prevent movement in Kabul. “The virus is fatal and dangerous… we will block all roads of Kabul city,” said Andarabi. Based on the Ministry of Interior's warning, health workers, bakers, media workers, telecommunication workers and food sellers will be allowed to move in the city. Click here to read.... [3]

BANGLADESH

The coronavirus deaths so far in Bangladesh: Dhaka Tribune
April 8, 2020

Until April 7, the deadly contagious disease has killed 81,000 people globally since the pandemic started in late December last year. So far, 17 people have died in the deadly Covid-19 outbreak since the first three cases were reported in Bangladesh on March 8. The country's first death from the deadly contagious disease, which has killed 81,000 people globally since late December last year, was reported on March 18. Click here to read.... [4]

MYANMAR

Myanmar reports second COVID-19 death: Myanmar Times
April 8, 2020

A 47-year-old man is the second COVID-19 fatality in the country, a senior Health Ministry official said on April 8. The man, whose wife, son, daughter and niece, were also infected with the dreaded disease, died before dawn on April 8 at Phay Hospital in Bago Region, according to Dr. Khin Khin Gyi. The cause of death was respiratory failure with septicemia, a case of blood poisoning, due to COVID-19, she said. Click here to read.... [5]

NEPAL

Oli emerges to address the nation but questions remain regarding measures to fight the pandemic: The Kathmandu Post
April 8, 2020

After earning criticism for his uncharacteristic silence at a time of crisis, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli finally emerged before the public on Tuesday to address the nation via television. While expressing sympathy for the plight of many Nepalis who are suffering under the strict conditions imposed by the lockdown, Oli stressed that social distancing was the only way to keep Covid-19 at bay. Nepal has been under lockdown since March 24, with an extension up to April 15. Click here to read.... [6]

Bhutan

Community takes over Covid-19 responsibility: Kuenselonline
April 8, 2020

If small is beautiful, the Gomtu community is living up to the phrase. Gomtu is a small town that has remained almost isolated after Bhutan’s border was sealed on March 23. Located almost 60km from Phuentsholing and Samtse, there is no internal route to travel from Gomtu to Samtse. In the face of such a situation, the people decided to do something together. They got together to come up with immediate and future plans. There is a Gomtu Covid-19 Task Force. Lhaki Cement, Jigme Mining, Penden Cement, Bhutan Polymer, and small business entities are the members of the task force. Included in the team are also the Royal Bhutan Police and local government officials. Click here to read.... [7]

Sri Lanka

Recommendations from top Medical Professors towards an exit strategy: Daily Mirror
April 8, 2020

Six Chair Professors of Medicine (and Specialist Physicians) in Sri Lanka have expressed their opinion on an exit strategy from the current COVID-19 lockdown in Sri Lanka, recommending the current level of restriction should continue for now and be reviewed after the New Year among others. Prof. Janaka de Silva (University of Kelaniya), Prof. Sarath Lekamwasam(University of Ruhuna) Prof. SAM Kularatne (University of Peradeniya), Prof. Sisira Siribaddana (Rajarata University of Sri Lanka), Prof Saroj Jayasinghe (University of Colombo), Prof. Kamani Wanigasuriya (University of Sri Jayewardenepura) have written a letter to Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva, Chairman of the COVID-19 National Task Force and Dr Anil Jasinghe, Director General of Health Services, expressing their opinion with some recommendations. Click here to read.... [8]

CHINA

Wuhan reopens after 76-day lockdown: China Daily
April 8, 2020

Ending the lockdown of Wuhan, Hubei province, on Wednesday will become a milestone for China in securing final victory in the people's war against the COVID-19 outbreak under the command of President Xi Jinping, observers said. Click here to read.... [9]

China’s consumers are starting to binge on travel, cosmetics again in signs economy is reviving: South China Morning Post
April 8, 2020

Chinese consumers are shopping again, in a timely boost for the beleaguered economy, as they regain some semblance of normal life after unprecedented lockdowns aimed at containing the coronavirus pandemic. Click here to read.... [10]

Coronavirus: Asia-Pacific nations unleash massive stimulus measures as scope of Covid-19’s economic impact grows clear: South China Morning Post
April 8, 2020

Asia-Pacific economic policymakers who chose to keep their powder dry in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic have begun unleashing massive new rounds of fiscal stimulus as the full scope of the global health crisis’ financial impact becomes apparent. Click here to read.... [11]