The number of confirmed new coronavirus cases in South Asia neared 6,000 on Saturday, even as authorities in some cities tightened restrictions on movement and warned lockdowns could be extended in a bid to rein in the pandemic.
Homeless people sit inside a corridor of a locked shelter during a 21-day nationwide lockdown to slow the spreading of the coronavirus disease at Howrah, on the outskirts of Kolkata, India, April 3, 2020. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said this week the country will pull out of the planned three-week lockdown in a phased manner. India has been hardest hit by the disease in South Asia with some 2,902 cases, of which 68 have died. While the government does plan to review the lockdown, set to end on April 14, three senior officials told Reuters this will depend on an assessment of the situation in each state, and lockdowns and restrictions would be extended in districts where the coronavirus case spread has continued.
But Muslim-majority Pakistan and Bangladesh, and India, home to the world’s largest Muslim minority, have struggled to convince conservative religious groups to maintain social distancing.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Coronavirus epicenter could 'possibly' shift back to Asia, says public health expertThe epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak is at risk of shifting constantly and 'could possibly even shift back to East Asia,' a public health expert said.
Read more »
In Southeast Asia, Governments Exploit Coronavirus Fears To Tighten GripIn Thailand, new restrictions ban the sharing of 'information related to COVID-19 that is false and might instigate fear.' Combined with another law, the Thai government now has carte blanche to decide what is 'fake news' and silence whomever it sees fit.
Read more »
Indonesia virus death toll rises to highest in Asia outside ChinaIndonesia's coronavirus death toll rose to 170 on Thursday as the world's fourth most populous nation passed South Korea as the country with the highest number of recorded fatalities in Asia after China.
Read more »
Asia stocks set to trade higher as oil prices see record surgeStocks in Asia were set to trade higher Friday following a record surge in oil prices that saw U.S. crude futures soaring more than 24%.
Read more »
AP Week in Pictures, AsiaMARCH 27-APRIL 2, 2020 This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in Asia and Pacific. The gallery was curated...
Read more »