One third of humanity under virus lockdown

Government policies and the capacity for virus testing vary widely around the world, so the true extent of the pandemic is difficult to estimate.
MORE than one billion Indians went into lockdown Wednesday, leaving a third of the planet now under orders to stay at home, as the United States vowed to spend $2 trillion to counter the economic harm of the coronavirus.
Europe remains at the heart of the epidemic, with first Italy and now Spain's death toll overtaking that of China, while Britain's Prince Charles became the latest prominent figure to test positive for the COVID-19 disease.
Coronavirus cases are also spreading in the Middle East, where Iran's death toll topped 2,000 on Wednesday, and in Africa, where Mali joined all seven of its neighbours in declaring its first cases -- two nationals who arrived home recently from France.
Government policies and the capacity for virus testing vary widely around the world, so the true extent of the pandemic is difficult to estimate, but more than 404,000 cases have been declared in 175 countries and territories since the epidemic first emerged in China in December. What is in less doubt is the number of deaths, with more than 19,000 attributed to the new coronavirus strain since the outbreak began.
'Wartime level of investment'
The economic damage of the virus -- and associated lockdowns -- could also be devastating, with fears of a worldwide recession worse than the financial meltdown that occurred over a decade ago.
But financial markets soared as the US Senate and the White House agreed a stimulus package worth roughly 10 per cent of the entire American economy, an injection Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said represented a "wartime level of investment".
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Grace period for corporate tax payment
The Japanese government and the ruling parties are considering allowing a one-year grace period for corporate tax payment by small and midsize companies affected by fallout from the corona virus, sources close to the matter said Wednesday.
The planned measure to expand the already available grace system will be part be part of their economic package to be finalized next month aimed at mitigating the impact of the spreading virus.
Prince Charles tested positive
Britain's Prince Charles has tested positive for COVID-19 and is showing mild symptoms, the Clarence House announced Wednesday.
The 71-year-old Prince of Wales displayed mild symptoms "but otherwise remains in good health," said a spokesman of Clarence House, the official residence of Charles and his wife Duchess of Cornwall Camilla who has tested negative.
Asia-Pacific countries
To contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, Asia-Pacific countries have upgraded restrictions as the Philippines and New Zealand declared states of emergency, while Malaysia extended "movement control order."
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has declared a state of national emergency in the entire country as the number of infections jumped to 636, according to a new law released on Wednesday.
The law, which Duterte signed on Tuesday night, empowers the president to tap all available state resources to halt the spread of COVID-19.
The Philippines recorded 84 new cases as of 4:00 pm local time on Wednesday, bringing the total to 636.
New Zealand also declared a state of emergency on Wednesday after 50 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed, taking the total to 205.
It will allow the director and local controllers, as needed, to provide for the conservation and supply of food, fuel and other essential supplies, regulate land, water and air traffic, close roads and public places, evacuate any premises including any public place and if necessary to exclude people or vehicles from any premises or places.
Malaysia is extending the "movement control order" that includes comprehensive restrictive measures for two more weeks till April 14, which are originally to end on March 31, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced on Wednesday.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced on Wednesday an emergency decree, effective from March 26 until April 30, which provides stringent measures for the authorities to contain the pandemic.
Under emergency rule, the Bangkok and provincial governors may declare certain areas as well as border passes deemed at risk of COVID-19 infection off-limits to the people, and no gatherings are allowed anywhere until the end of April.
South Korea reported 100 more cases compared to 24 hours ago as of midnight Wednesday local time, raising the total to 9,137.
Of the new cases, 34 were imported from abroad. Six more deaths were confirmed, lifting the death toll to 126. A total of 2,252 confirmed cases had been confirmed in Australia as of Wednesday morning, up 23 percent from 1,823 on Tuesday morning.
New South Wales (NSW) became the first of Australia's eight states and territories to surpass 1,000 confirmed cases with 1,029.
The government has announced an international travel ban and stricter restriction on gatherings, warning against outdoor events of more than 10 people including funerals and weddings.
On Wednesday, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Japan stood at 1,277, with 66 new cases.

Of these cases, Tokyo reported 41 new infections, which was the highest daily tally for the city since the outbreak began.
In Pakistan, the total number of confirmed cases reached 1,000 on Wednesday while eight infected patients have died.
Pakistan's south Sindh province is the worst-hit area as 413 cases were confirmed, followed by 296 in eastern Punjab province.
The death toll of COVID-19 in Indonesia has climbed to 58 as of noon on Wednesday with 790 cases confirmed so far.
Earlier, the government said that two islands, the Sebaru island on the Java Sea in the northern part of Jakarta and the Galang island in the Riau Islands, will be used to quarantine and observe people infected with the virus starting on March 28.
As the Indian government began the 21-day lockdown on Wednesday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the morning rose to 562, and the 10th death was reported.
Of these, 519 cases are Indian nationals and 43 foreign nationals.
All road, rail and air services would remain suspended during the lockdown, and essential services like medical shops, pet rol pumps, grocery stores, milk booths, and online shopping are exempted.
Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said on Wednesday that two more French tourists were tested positive for the COVID-19, bringing the total number to 93.
The prime minister said that he is considering to put the country in a state of emergency.
Afghanistan reported the one death from the COVID-19, taking the death toll to two. To date, the country has confirmed 74 infections.
Bangladesh reported the country's fifth death related to the COVID-19.
The government has confirmed 39 cases so far, and no new cases was detected in the last 24 hours.
As a 31-year-old Fijian woman tested positive, the infections in Fiji have reached five.
Starting from Thursday, the main international airport of Fiji, the Nadi International airport will be officially shut down to all scheduled passenger travel while passenger travel to the outer islands will cease from Sunday.
Nepal on Wednesday confirmed the third infection, the Ministry of Health and Population said.
The Nepali government has launched stringent measures, including the week-long lockdown nationwide, closure of all border points, suspension of all international flights and closure of offices except the emergency ones.
Laos has detected a third confirmed COVID-19 case, the Lao official confirmed.
All of the close contacts have been quarantined in a hospital in Luang Prabang province.
Myanmar government is planning to provide prompt response to possible COVID-19 infection at internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in the country.
At present, Myanmar recorded three COVID-19 infection cases after the Health and Sports Ministry announced one more case detected in Yangon in early hours of Wednesday.
REFERENCES
AFP; Kyodo; Xinhua News Updates
Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar