ASEAN Response to COVID-19

• Worldwide, there have been over 33.7 million cases and more than 1 million deaths attributed to COVID-19.

• Indonesia’s national COVID-19 task force chief has issued a stern warning to the public about the importance of following COVID-19 protocols at all times, explaining that a person could carry the virus without knowing it and end up transmitting it to their family members and those closest to them. He added that many people were continuing to ignore health protocols, such as maintaining physical distance, wearing a mask and avoiding crowds. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s President has said that every hospital will be required to treat COVID-19 patients in accordance with the Health Ministry’s official standard operating procedures to ensure an optimal recovery rate. He said that uniform treatment of COVID-19 patients would be mandatory in intensive care units, isolation wards and quarantine facilities. Indonesia’s COVID-19 mortality rate had declined to 3.77 percent as of last month which is above the global fatality rate of 3.01 percent. The Health Ministry reported 4,002 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Tuesday (September 29), bringing the total number of cases nationwide to 282,724.

• Philippine President said on late Monday (September 28) regarding partial coronavirus restrictions in and around the capital region will be extended for another month until October 31 to keep the spread of COVID-19 in check. The Philippines reported 2,025 new COVID-19 cases on September 29, taking its total case count to 309,303 cases – the highest in Southeast Asia. Members of the government’s COVID-19 task force said they could not afford to be complacent even as they would like the economy to continue to move forward. In this late-night televised address, the President also appealed to the country’s top telecommunication firms to “do a better job” with public schools set to reopen with virtual classes on October 5. Preparations for the resumption of classes have been hit by problems including access, availability and speed of data services. People must still wear masks, face shields and observe onemeter social distancing, while children, the elderly and pregnant women are urged to stay at home.

Malaysia on September 28 said it will impose strict movement restrictions in four districts in Sabah after reporting more than 1,000 COVID-19 infections there in September. Defense Minister said that as part of efforts to contain the outbreak, non-essential businesses in Lahad Datu, Tawau, Kunak and Semporna districts will be required to shut down for 14 days starting September 29. About 960,000 residents in Sabah will be affected by the Targeted Enhanced Movement Control Order (TEMCO). During the TEMCO, all residents are prohibited from leaving the affected areas, and non-residents and visitors are not allowed to enter the four districts. All entry points to and from the affected areas will also be closed. To ensure full compliance, the Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Armed Forces, Malaysian Civil Defence Force, Malaysian Volunteer Corps Department, local authorities and authorised personnel will control the areas.

• Myanmar overtook Malaysia in the total number of COVID-19 cases, becoming the country with the fourth highest number of COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia. The Ministry of Health and Sports reported 794 new cases bringing the total number of cases in the country to 12,425. The national government announced on September 28 that it has extended the COVID-19 precautionary restriction measures until October 31.

• Thailand will extend a state of emergency until October 31 as the country gears up for the re-opening of borders to foreign visitors, while maintaining its relative success in containing local transmission of the coronavirus. The national COVID19 task force chaired by Thailand’s Prime Minister on Monday approved the extension of emergency rules through October 31. The panel also approved special tourist visas for foreign tourists starting next month.