Situation Repot of COVID-19 in the ASEAN Region – 05 May 2021

Global Update

• Worldwide, there have been over 153 million cases and more than 3 million deaths attributed to COVID-19.

• India's COVID-19 caseload topped 20 million on Tuesday (May 4). India's healthcare infrastructure has struggled to cope with the huge number of cases, with deep shortages of medicines, hospital beds and medical oxygen.

Regional Update

• The Malaysian government has announced that morning Aidilfitri prayers and Hari Raya visiting will be allowed with restrictions and health protocols in place. Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday (May 4), Senior Minister for Security said for areas under Movement Control Order (MCO), Raya visiting will only be allowed on the first day (May 13) of Aidilfitri with the number of people capped at 15. Meanwhile, for areas under Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) and Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO), Hari Raya visiting will be allowed for the first three days of Aidilfitri from May 13 to May 15. For CMCO areas, a maximum of 20 people are allowed while for RMCO, 25 people are allowed. For Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) areas, no Raya visiting is allowed.

• Cambodian officials announced on Tuesday (May 4) 938 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total cases to 16,299 with 107 deaths. Authorities have transformed schools and wedding party halls into COVID-19 treatment centers as hospitals are running out of beds and Prime Minister Hun Sen warned the country was "on the brink of death" from the virus outbreak. Phnom Penh and adjacent city Ta Khmau have been under lockdown for 20 days and the government has announced the blanket would end from Thursday (May 6). But authorities said areas with high infection rates would remain under lockdown. Police have set up blockades around red zones barring residents from leaving their homes except on medical reasons. On Tuesday (May 4), the information ministry ordered journalists to stop reporting from blockaded COVID-19 "red zones" and from chasing ambulances as the country battles against a record surge in infections.

• With the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in the community, Singapore has announced tighter measures for about three weeks starting May 8 up until May 30. People are also advised to keep to a maximum of two social gatherings per day, whether it is to visit another household or to meet with friends or family in a public place. The five-person rule applies to all social gatherings, including dining at restaurants. Meanwhile, the proportion of employees returning to the workplace will be reduced to 50%, down from the current 75%. For those returning to the workplace, employers must stagger their start times and implement flexible working hours. Indoor gyms and fitness studios are considered high risk area and must be closed for the time-being. As with current restrictions, marriage solemnizations may proceed with up to 250 attendees where guests must be grouped in zones of up to 50 attendees. For burials or cremations, the cap on attendees will be reduced from 50 to 30.

• The Laos government has decided to extend the lockdown for 15 more days to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19. According to a report by the Center of Information and Education for Health under the Lao Ministry of Health on Tuesday (May 4), the Lao government agreed to extend the lockdown for 15 more days until May 20, as part of the measures to fight further spread of COVID-19. Everyone is encouraged to continue to follow all government measures concerning the control of the virus including those laid down by a Prime Ministerial Order and the National Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

• Vietnam's Ministry of Health on Tuesday (May 4) said that some COVID-19 patients previously reported in northern Vietnam's Vinh Phuc province were infected with a new COVID-19 virus variant first identified in India. The patients were the country's first community cases to be confirmed with the new variant. According to the country’s Health Ministry, a total of 15 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in on Tuesday (May 4), including three locally transmitted and 12 imported, raising the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country to 2,996. Also on Tuesday, the Ministry of Health has temporarily extended the minimum 14-day quarantine to additional days as per health protocols and other factors. This came after some travelers who had completed the 14-day quarantine tested positive shortly after leaving quarantine facilities. Meanwhile, Hanoi authorities have shut down non-essential services such as movie theaters, gyms, spas, and massage parlors. The development comes after the city recorded five domestic cases in five districts such as Dong Anh, Hai Ba Trung, Hoang Mai, Bac Tu Liem, and Me Linh starting today (May 5).