COVID-19: Malaysia extends partial lockdown, Myanmar lifts some restrictions
While Malaysia has decided to extend a partial lockdown in efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, Myanmar removed certain restrictions to prepare for the upcoming general elections.
A health worker takes a swab from a man for COVID-19 testing in Subang Jaya in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 22 (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – While Malaysia has decided toextend a partial lockdown in efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, Myanmarremoved certain restrictions to prepare for the upcoming general elections.
Malaysian Senior Minister for Security IsmailSabri Yaakob told a press conference on October 26 that the two-weekpartial lockdown on Kuala Lumpur capital and the neighbouring state ofSelangor, announced earlier this month, would be extended until November 9.
Malaysia made the move after the Health Ministryhad reported 1,240 new coronavirus cases on September 26, the highest dailyrise on record.
As of the day, this country had recorded a totalof 27,805 infections, including 236 deaths.
Its government has imposed movementrestrictions, including the closure of schools and places of worship, thoughall other economic activities are allowed to operate normally.
Meanwhile, Myanmar has lifted restrictions onmass gatherings and the stay-at-home order to prepare for the general electionsslated for November 8.
The country’s Ministry of Health and Sportsannounced on October 25 that gatherings of 30 people or more, which were bannedfrom August 12 as a measure to help curb the spread of COVID-19, will beallowed at the polling stations on the election day.
The ministry also said citizens who are residingin the townships under the stay-at-home order will be allowed to go to therespective polling stations to cast votes on the election day.
So far, the stay-at-home order has been imposedin all townships in Rakhine state and Yangon region, excluding Cocokyuntownship, along with 13 townships in Mandalay, Bago, Ayeyarwaddy regions andMon and Kachin states.
Myanmar had reported 44,774 COVID-19 confirmedcases with 1,095 deaths as of October 25./.
Myanmar plans to push ahead with a November general election despite calls from opposition parties to postpone it because of a surge in COVID-19 cases, officials said.
Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has affirmed that his Government will not impose a total lockdown despite the latest surge in COVID-19 cases.
Southeast Asian nations are beefing up measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 amid complicated developments of the disease in many countries around the world.
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A health worker takes a swab from a man for COVID-19 testing in Subang Jaya in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 22 (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
