The coronavirus outbreak in Southeast Asia is moving slowly compared to the situation in the west and some economic experts believe online trading may benefit from the ongoing crisis.
Mahathir Sees Positivity in Online Selling
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said on Friday that despite the COVID-19 outbreak in the country and around the world, there are opportunities in online selling that traders may start to adapt as the "new normal," the Malay Mail reported.
Mahathir urged Malaysian business owners to be flexible in such trying times as new norms are popping up through crises such as the coronavirus outbreak.
The former leader's comments came as the country remains under a movement control order (MCO) that battered physical businesses. As of Friday, Malaysia has recorded 5,182 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 84 deaths.
Thai Government to Make Decision on Easing Regulations Next Week
Spokesman for the Thai Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin said on Friday that the government is expected to make a decision next week regarding the potential easing of coronavirus regulations.
According to the Bangkok Post, business representatives and health experts have already started discussions on the effectivity of the current coronavirus measures and whether these regulations can allow for business operations to reopen gradually.
As of Friday, Thailand registered 2,672 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 46 deaths from the highly-infectious disease.
Indonesia's Enforcement Issues
Indonesia once had zero coronavirus cases, when other Asian countries were already reporting new COVID-19 patients. However, things have changed drastically since last month. The country now has seen 469 fatalities from the disease.
Some experts noted that while Indonesian President Joko Widodo introduced stricter social distancing measures on April 7, the capital of Jakarta is experiencing enforcement hurdles, the South China Morning Post reported.
Analysts went on to warn that the continuation of socialization activities among younger Indonesians in the capital city could indicate a replay of events that took place in Italy, where the COVID-19 strain spread quietly around cafes and pubs.
As of Friday, Indonesia has seen 5,136 coronavirus infections.
18 People in Philippine Jail Test Positive
18 people at the Quezon City jail in the Philippines have tested COVID-19 positive, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) confirmed on Friday.
According to ABS-CBN News, the nine detainees and nine staff members account for the total number of infected people in the said prison facility. Contact tracing has been carried out as part of the efforts to prevent further infections.
BJMP spokesperson Xavier Solda said the government agency has sought for assistance from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to set up an isolation facility outside the jail.
As of Friday, the Philippines has registered 5,878 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 387 deaths. The country's recovered patients remain larger than the number of deaths at 487.
Vietnam Records Zero Cases
On Friday, Vietnam did not report any new coronavirus cases over the last 24 hours, marking a new trend in the Southeast Asian country's battle against the fast-spreading virus.
The country's COVID-19 infection toll remained at 268 since Thursday morning, with only 91 of the said patients having recorded and discharged from hospitals, Vietnam Express reported.
Furthermore, the number of suspected coronavirus patients decreased on Thursday, with only 310 people being under quarantine following the release of some cases who completed their two-week isolation.
