The Covid-19 pandemic continues to cripple the critical tourism market, with many provinces losing the most from tourism revenue. The southern resort province of Phuket is especially hard hit by its reliance on international tourists. Deputy Phuket Governor Pichet Panapong, who is a key player in the country’s economic recovery efforts, told the Bangkok Post about Phuket ‘s plan to …

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said on Monday that people can organize demonstrations and express their views as long as they do not infringe the rights of others. He also admitted that the Constitution needs to be revised. Gen Prawit spoke at the Government House in response to reporters’ questions about the mass anti-government protest by the Free People’s Party …

KUALA LUMPUR – The public can still appeal to lessen the RM 1,000 fine issued by the government for those who caugt not wearing the face masks in public. According to Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, since  the public can appeal, there’s no need to amend the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) and …

PETALING JAYA – Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said that since Perikatan Nasional (PN) government took control, relationships with China and India has improved significantly. Hishammuddin said that the improved ties would help the country’s export on its palm oil and palm oil-based products that could support the Felda settlers in the process. Speaking after a meet-and-greet session with …

METRO MANILA  – Nearly half of the country’s adult labor force was unemployed in July this year, a recent survey revealed by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) on Sunday. According to the survey conducted from July 3-6, 2020, unemployment in the country rises to  45.5% from  17.1% last December. a 28-point increase and a new record-high beating the 34.4% recorded …

METRO MANILA – A new mutated strain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the Covid-19 disease has been detected and belived to be more infectious than the original variant, says Philippine Genome Center (PGC). According to the research center, the G614 strain, along with D614 genotype was reportedly detected on several sample positive cases in Quezon City. Philippine Genome Center …

MANILA – Malacañang announced today (Saturday) that areas under GCQ such as Nueva Ecija, Batangas, Quezon, Cebu City and Iloilo City will be extended until August 31. Mandaue, Lapu Lapu, Talisay, Minglanilla and Consolacion in Cebu will also be under GCQ until the end of the month. LOOK: Here are the quarantine classifications of different areas beginning August 16, 2020 …

MANILA – The World Bank has committed another $1.9 billion in projects in the Philippines to help and support projects that will help the economy bounce back from the impact of Covid-19 pandemic. According to the Department of Finance (DOF), the $1.9 billion-worth of “redesigned” World Bank-funded projects are expected to be approved before the year end to help the …

The office of the Directorate General of Immigration at Jalan HR Rasuna Said, Kuningan, South Jakarta is closed for 10 days from August 12 until August 21, 2020. The closure was carried out as a sterilization action following five immigration officers at the office who tested positive for Covid-19. Even though the office is closed, onshore visa services for foreign …

Apart from working with other countries in developing the coronavirus vaccine (Covid-19), Indonesia is also developing vaccines independently. The domestically made vaccine is called Merah Putih Vaccine. PT Bio Farma’s Project Integration Management Research and Development Neni Nurainy said that the Merah Putih vaccine would be a long-term strategy. “Indonesia with 270 million people must be ready with its own …