ASIA Coronavirus: 'return' cases and quarantine measures increase

All new cases in China are from people coming from abroad. Hong Kong closes its borders. Without the Olympics, Japan will lose 267 billion euros in the next 10 years. Quarantine ends for 361 Taiwanese evacuated from Wuhan. New restrictive measures in South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and India.

Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The coronavirus emergency continues throughout Asia. Yesterday, 47 new cases of infection and 4 deaths were reported in China. All new infections are returns from abroad. The "return" cases ascertained by the national health authorities are 474; most are Chinese citizens returning to the country.

Hong Kong is closing its borders to most foreigners for the next two weeks. There are 386 people infected in the city (4 deaths). Macau has 29 infections and no casualties.

The Taiwanese government has announced that 361 citizens evacuated in early March from Wuhan, the capital of Hubei, the epicenter of the infection, have ended the quarantine period and can return to their families. There are 235 cases of infection on the island; two are the dead.

The Tokyo Olympics are officially postponed to 2021 for Covid-19. The announcement came yesterday from Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The metropolitan government of the capital has calculated that without the Games the national economy of the whole of Japan would lose 267 billion euros in the next 10 years. In the Land of the Rising Sun Country, there are 1141 infections; 45 victims.

In addition to the two-week quarantine for visitors from Europe, South Korea is imposing 14 days of self-isolation on those from the United States. The measure was taken after an increase in return infections. There are now 101 cases imported into the country, 9137 total infections; 126 deaths.

Malaysia is extending business closures and traffic bans until April 14th. At present, the country has 1,624 cases of infection, the highest number in Southeast Asia, and 17 deaths. Malaysians can only leave their homes for essential goods, medical visits and emergencies.

In the Philippines, Congress yesterday declared a national emergency. President Rodrigo Duterte is authorized to launch a massive aid plan for 18 million families. The government can also seize hospitals and private boats to fight lung infection. To date, 552 people are infected in the country and 35 have died.

From March 27, until April 30, Singapore will ban gatherings of more than 10 people. The measure does not apply in schools or places of employment. Bars, cinemas and other entertainment venues have been closed. All religious services have also been stopped. Those who have been infected after a trip abroad will have to pay for the treatment in public hospitals in full. There are 558 coronavirus cases in the city-state; two were the victims.

From yesterday, and for the next three weeks, the population of India will remain in quarantine. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision caused panic among the population, with people raiding markets in an attempt to ensure food supplies. So far, 562 infections and 10 deaths have occurred in the country.