VIF Neighborhood News Digest: April 10, 2020

PAKISTAN

Govt okays clinical trial of plasma therapy, locally made ventilators: Dawn
April 10, 2020

While the number of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) cases in the country has risen to 4,500, the government has taken some major decisions, including approval of clinical trials of plasma therapy and locally made ventilators for treatment of critically ill patients and permission for manufacturing of sanitisers and production of Chloroquine, the medicine for malaria. On the other hand, the government has come under criticism over its decision to allow export of Chloroquine as Pakistan is located in the ‘malaria belt’ and the medicine is being experimented as a possible treatment for Covid-19. Click here to read.... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

40 New COVID-19 Cases in Afghanistan, Total 484: TOLO
April 10, 2020

Over the last 24 hours, 40 positive coronavirus cases have been reported in the country, Health Minister Ferozuddin Feroz said Thursday, bringing the total registered number of cases in the country to 484. According to the ministry, the new positive cases include 10 from Kabul, 14 from Nimroz, 7 from Kandahar, 4 from Paktia, 2 from Bamyan, 2 from Balkh and 1 from Logar province. So far, 15 people have died as a result of disease in the country, and another 32 have recovered, said the ministry. . Click here to read.... [3]

BANGLADESH

Bangladesh, Singapore hold talks over voluntary repatriation: Dhaka Tribune
April 10, 2020

Coronavirus infected Bangladeshi workers in Singapore are being provided with food, healthcare and other essential supplies along with salaries. Bangladesh and Singapore have agreed to work together to facilitate the repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals and workers who desire to return home and to take Singaporeans back home from Bangladesh to be reunited with their families and loved ones. Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan had a telephone conversation with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen where they discussed the issues on Thursday afternoon, reports UNB. . Click here to read.... [4]

MYANMAR

EU provides €5 million emergency cash for Myanmar garment workers: Myanmar Times
April 10, 2020

The European Union (EU) said it will provide €5 million (K7.9 billion) in cash to support garment workers in Myanmar who have been affected by COVID-19. The Myan Ku (Quick Assistance) emergency cash fund will go directly to cut, make, and pack (CMP) workers who have lost their jobs as a result of COVID-19. As of end March, over 25,000 workers from more than 40 factories have been laid off, while 350,000 are at great risk of either being suspended without pay or losing their jobs permanently, according to the EU. The industry hires up to 700,000 predominantly female workers across 600 factories. . Click here to read.... [5]

NEPAL

Provinces roll out rapid testing on all suspects and all those who’ve returned from India: The Kathmandu Post
April 10, 2020

After long weeks of pressure from the public and from public health experts, mass testing for Covid-19 among Nepalis suspected of harbouring the disease has finally begun. Sudurpaschim Province began mass testing in Kailali and Kanchanpur on Thursday, using the rapid test kits imported from China by Omni Business Corporate International, a controversial private firm. On Thursday, 66 tests were conducted in Kailali and Kanchanpur districts, with all the results negative, said Dr Bikash Devkota, spokesperson for the Health Ministry. . Click here to read.... [6]

Sri Lanka

Post Covid-19 crisis Ranil to make proposals on reviving economy: Daily Mirror
April 10, 2020

UNP leader and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is to come up with some proposals next week on how Sri Lanka could revive the fallen economy following the COVID-19 crisis, sources close to Mr. Wickremesinghe said yesterday. They said Mr. Wickremesinghe would also make some suggestions on a procedure which the government could follow to legally spend more funds for the COVID-19 crisis. He is also expected to stress that the government should include all political parties in the process of reviving the economy. . Click here to read.... [7]

BHUTAN

Government ready with additional quarantine facility: Kuenselonline
April 10, 2020

About 312 Bhutanese are returning to Bhutan today. Another 1,000 or more are expected to return including those in Australia and in the Middle East countries soon. The government has arranged two government coordinated special flights from New Delhi and a Bhutan Airlines chartered flight from Maldives carrying 72 people, especially immigrant workers, will arrive today, according to foreign ministry officials. The Delhi flights will bring in 240, mostly students stranded in India. All those returning will be quarantined for 21 days on their arrival exerting pressure on quarantine facilities. . Click here to read.... [8]

CHINA

China Advances Reforms of Land, Labor and Capital Markets: Caixin
April 10, 2020

China’s State Council, the cabinet, unveiled a new policy document Thursday to guide improvements in market resources-allocation mechanisms to spur growth. . Click here to read.... [9]

China's consumer price index up 4.3% in March: China Daily
April 10, 2020

China's consumer price index, a main gauge of inflation, rose 4.3 percent year-on-year in March, down from 5.2 percent in the previous month, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Friday. . Click here to read.... [10]