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A30 world news
Diaranson 7 october 2020

Asia Today: Sri Lanka confirms 321 cases in factory cluster

the past 24 hours, its lowest
number of daily infections — South Korea has reported
since Aug 25, raising the 75 new cases of the corona-
country’s total reported cases virus as infections steadily
to nearly 6.7 million. The rise in the greater capital area.
Health Ministry on Tuesday The figures released Tuesday
also reported 884 deaths in by the Korea Disease Con-
the past 24 hours. The con- trol and Prevention Agency
firmed death toll now stands brought the national total to
at 103,569. India, the world’s 24,239, including 422 deaths.
second most affected country, At least 36 troops have tested
has been reporting the high- positive at an army unit in
est single-day increases in the Pocheon, north of Seoul,
world for nearly 45 days. The while 14 other cases were
last three weeks have seen a tied to a hospital in nearby
gradual decline in its report- Euijeongbu. There’s concern
ed infections. that infections will grow in
the coming weeks due to in-
— Philippine Airlines has creased travel during the five-
called on its employees to day Chuseok harvest holiday
apply for voluntary separa- that ended Sunday.
tion as part of a retrench-
ment plan that may affect up — Japan and South Korea
(AP) — Sri Lanka said Tues- strictions on public transport. curb transmissions in hot- to 35% of its 7,000 workers. have agreed to resume busi-
day more than 300 garment For more than two months, spot zones. About a third PAL said it resorted to fur- ness travel between them
factory workers are infected Sri Lankan health officials of the new cases came from loughs and flexible working starting Oct. 8, according to
with the coronavirus, days have been saying that they Sabah state on Borneo island. arrangements at the height the Japanese Foreign Min-
after reporting the Indian have prevented community Muhyiddin said travel to and of the pandemic to preserve istry. South Koreans will be
Ocean nation's first commu- spread of the virus and that from Sabah will be banned jobs. But it is operating only able to enter Japan for busi-
nity infection in two months. patients being reported be- from Oct. 12 for two weeks, 15% of its normal flights ness and conduct work but
longed to two known clus- while several hotspot areas and says collapsing demand will be required to undergo a
The health ministry said 321 ters. in the state have been locked and ongoing travel restric- 14-day quarantine after entry,
cases have been identified in The country has reported down. Muhyiddin said he tions make retrenchment in- the ministry said in a state-
the factory cluster after the 3,471 patients, including 13 and seven ministers and six evitable. The retrenchments ment Tuesday. South Korea
first patient was diagnosed at deaths. Of the total, 3,259 deputy ministers are volun- would involve voluntary and has reported slightly more
a hospital two days ago. have recovered. tarily observing a two-week mandatory steps to be car- than 400 deaths from the
The outbreak in the suburbs quarantine. They were all ried out in the remaining coronavirus, while Japan has
of Sri Lanka’s capital, Co- In other developments in the at an Oct. 3 meeting with a months of the year, PAL said. confirmed about 1,600. Japan
lombo, was identified despite Asia-Pacific region: minister who tested positive It assured employees of fair has imposed an entry ban on
claims by the the government — Virus cases in Malaysia for the virus after returning treatment. PAL, one of Asia’s people from many countries
that it has successfully con- spiked to a new daily record from Sabah. Malaysia’s police oldest commercial airlines, because of the pandemic.
trolled the virus's spread. of 691 on Tuesday, with four chief and the health director- is among the largest Philip- The ban has been gradually
Trying to contain the out- new deaths. Prime Minister general, who attended the pine companies reeling from relaxed, including for travel-
break, the government im- Muhyiddin Yassin ruled out meeting, have also isolated COVID-19. The disease has ers from Thailand, Singapore
posed a curfew in two sub- another national lockdown, themselves at home. infected nearly 325,000 Fili- and Vietnam, although a 14-
urbs where most of the pa- saying that could crush the pinos, the highest number in day quarantine is required.
tients live, closed schools and economy. Instead he said — India has registered 61,267 Southeast Asia, and caused
universities, and imposed re- measures will be targeted to new coronavirus cases in 5,840 deaths.

New Thai army commander defends monarchy with softer line

(AP) — Thailand’s new who harshly criticized the two occurring in 2006 and that causes suffering. I urge
army chief on Tuesday made Speaking at his first news mostly young protest leaders, 2012. everyone to be positive, get-
the traditional pledge to de- conference, Narongpan did telling an audience of mili- “The chance of coup mak- ting rid of any factors that
fend the country, the Bud- not directly criticize the pro- tary cadets that “COVID-19 ing is zero if based on the fact could lead to such a situation,
dhist religion, the monarchy testers for their beliefs, in- can be cured ... but the dis- that no groups are creating a making the chance of a coup
and the people, but seemed stead warning they must re- ease that cannot be cured is situation or a violent conflict to be less than zero,” he said.
to take a softer line than his spect the rights of others and the hatred of the nation.” He
predecessor toward dissent- accept the consequences if was appointed to a senior po-
ing political voices. they violate the law. sition at the royal palace after
Asked whether the protesters' his retirement.
Gen. Narongpan Jittkaewtae 10-point manifesto for royal- Thailand has a lese majeste
took his post on Oct. 1 in an related reforms is a threat law that makes defaming
annual military reshuffle as to the monarchy, Narong- the monarchy punishable by
the government faces a chal- pan avoided a direct answer, three to 15 years in prison,
lenge from mass protests that declaring that reform is a though none of the current
include unprecedented calls positive thing but everyone protest leaders have yet been
for reforms to the revered should look at themselves formally charged with the of-
institution of the monarchy. first before asking others to fense.
The position of army com- change. He said Thai soci-
mander carries enormous ety should have tolerance for Narongpan, 57, hedged when
political influence, since the people with different beliefs. asked about the possibility of
military has staged more than another military coup. There
a dozen successful coups Narongpan’s predecessor, are no indications that one is
since Thailand became a con- Gen. Apirat Kongsompong, in the offing, but the threat is
stitutional monarchy in 1932. was an outspoken royalist always present, with the last