Southeast Asia fighting COVID-19, recording more infections

In Vientiane, Laos (Photo: Xinhua) 

Vientiane (VNA) - Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith announced on April 15 that the Government has decided to extend the validity of Directive No. 06/TTg on COVID-19 prevention and control, with physical distancing measures to continue for 14 more days until May 3.

Laos has so far recorded 19 cases, with one patient having recovered.

On the same day, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand decided to further extend a ban on passenger flights to the country until April 30.

The order exempts State or military aircraft, emergency landings, technical landings without any passengers disembarking, humanitarian aid, medical and relief flights, repatriation flights, and cargo aircraft.

Passengers and staff on exempted flights will be subject to a 14-day quarantine.

Thailand also announced 30 new cases on April 15, bringing its total to 2,643, including 43 fatalities.

Meanwhile, the Phnom Penh Post quoted Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Mariano Grossi as saying it will distribute COVID-19 quick testing kits to 42 countries, including Cambodia.

Cambodia has to date recorded 122 infections, including 96 patients who have recovered.

Malaysia recorded 85 infections April 15, the lowest on a day since the Government imposed measures to curb the COVID-19 spread on March 18, raising its total to 5,072, with 83 deaths./.