Visitors to Japan Sink 93%, Biggest On-Year Drop
TOKYO (Kyodo) — The number of foreign visitors to Japan tumbled 93 percent in March from a year earlier, marking the biggest rate of decline for any month since 1964 when comparable data became available, amid the global coronavirus pandemic, government data showed Wednesday.
Japan Lawmaker Admits to Visiting Hostess Bar Amid Pandemic
TOKYO (Kyodo) — An opposition lawmaker has offered to resign from his party, after admitting he visited a Tokyo hostess bar despite the capital being under a state of emergency to curb the spread of coronavirus, a senior party official said Wednesday.
Trump Ends US Aid to WHO, Says Not Enough Done to Stop Virus
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said he was cutting off U.S. payments to the World Health Organization during the coronavirus pandemic, accusing the organization of failing to do enough to stop the virus from spreading when it first surfaced in China.
Man Defies Thai-Malaysian Border Lockdown, Swims Across
SATUN — Stranded in Malaysia after the border was shut, a Thai fishery worker on Tuesday braved through the currents across the border in a bid to return to his home.
Singer Marooned in Bahrain by Virus Lockdown Pleads For Help
MANAMA, Bahrain — A Thai singer stuck in Bahrain is asking the government to let him and dozens of other Thais stuck...
Nonthaburi Backtracks on Reopening Salons After Gov’t Warnings
NONTHABURI — Nonthaburi governor Sujin Chaichumsak withdrew his approval for hair salons and some shops to open during the coronavirus lockdown tomorrow, a day after he gave the greenlight.
Reported Infections Rise to 34, Bangkok Bus Driver Death Confirmed
BANGKOK — The government’s response center to the coronavirus epidemic on Tuesday reported an additional death related to COVID-19 and 34 more cases of infection, raising the total tally to 2,613.
BOI Shores Up Medical Investment to Ease Impact From COVID-19
BANGKOK (Xinhua) — Thailand's Board of Investment of (BOI) on Monday approved more measures to soften the impact of COVID-19 on businesses, including steps to encourage rapid investment in the manufacturing of medical equipment.
China Approves Clinical Trials of COVID-19 Vaccines
BEIJING (Xinhua) — China has approved two COVID-19 inactivated vaccine candidates for clinical trials, according to the State Council joint prevention and control mechanism against the coronavirus Tuesday.
Detained Immigrants Plead for Masks, Protection From Virus
HOUSTON (AP) — Elsy was on the phone in an immigration detention center when guards showed up with face masks and forms to sign.
