Southeast Asia remains vigilant in terms of implementing anti-coronavirus measures despite more nations gradually easing out of community quarantines and lockdowns.
Malaysia to Continue Strict Social Distancing
Malaysia will still implement strict social distancing measures even if the country already reached the fourth phase of its movement control order (MCO).
According to local newspaper The Star, transport minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said that preventative measures will still be mandatory for all public transportation mediums as part of the government's efforts in preventing new COVID-19 infections.
Wee went on to clarify that mandatory temperature checks will still be in place, as well as face mask-wearing. Daily sanitization will also be carried out on LRTs, buses, MRTs, and other trains.
The news came after Malaysia reported 122 new confirmed coronavirus cases, bringing the country's total infection tally to 6,298. The death toll remained at 105 with zero new fatalities on Sunday.
Thailand Reports 18 New Cases, All Foreigners
Thailand on Monday reported 18 new COVID-19 cases, all of which are foreigners in Songkhla. The national toll now stands at 2,740, the Bangkok Post reported.
Health experts noted that Thailand's resurgence in double-digit infections was driven by foreigners arriving to the country, further raising concerns about the potential risk that imported cases have in Southeast Asian countries.
Aside from the imported cases reported on Monday, the government's health department is also looking closely at 40 new cases in Yala due to initial test results coming out positive and the second results coming out negative.
The samples of the patients in question will be sent back to Bangkok's main laboratories for further accuracy checking.
Widodo Urges Close Monitoring of Clusters
Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday reiterated the importance of closely monitoring coronavirus clusters across the country as a means of preventing new community transmissions, ANTARA reported.
During his Monday briefing, Widodo said clusters, especially among migrant workers, tabligh congregations, travelers, and industry groups, should be "really monitored seriously."
Widodo's comments came following the news that around 89,000 Indonesian migrant workers have finally stepped back home after weeks of waiting. The Indonesian leader said the numbers are expected to rise in the coming weeks.
Most of the Indonesian migrant workers who came home were from Malaysia, while some 11,000 were from Hong Kong, and over 3,000 were from Singapore, where a resurgence in new COVID-19 infections has been ensuing among work permit holders.
As of Saturday, Indonesia's national infection toll reached 10,843 and the number of fatalities stood at 831.
Vietnam's HCM to Test Quarantined Arrivals 4 Times
Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City will require all international arrivals to undergo 14 days of quarantine and throughout the said period, the passengers will be tested four times to ensure the accuracy of the coronavirus tests to be carried out.
According to Vietnam Express, director of the HCMC Center for Disease Control Dr Nguyen Tri Dung revealed that the decision was made due to the higher risk that comes with passengers arriving from overseas.
Furthermore, Vietnam saw a British national arriving in the city who tested negative on the initial test and five days later tested positive of COVID-19. The said case, "Patient 271," is now receiving treatment at the Cu Chi Field Hospital.
Vietnam's national coronavirus toll reached 271 on Sunday following days of zero local transmissions.
Philippine Senate Staff Test Positive in Rapid Testing Results
Around 12 staff members of the Philippine Senate have tested positive of COVID-19 after using rapid test kits on Monday, ABS-CBN News reported.
The news came hours before the chamber reopened its session after the Senate went on a two-month break. The break was announced following three senators testing positive of the novel coronavirus.
Samples of the infected staff members who used rapid test kits will be sent to the Philippine Red Cross for confirmatory testing to ensure the accuracy of the test results.
As of Sunday, the Philippines logged 9,223 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 607 deaths.
