Kuwait
Kuwait imposed a nationwide curfew on 22 March from 5 p.m. until 4 a.m. to fight the
spread of the coronavirus pandemic, state news agency KUNA said, citing the cabinet.
Kuwait, which went into virtual lockdown on Thursday, has taken some of the most drastic steps in the region to curb the virus' spread.
The Gulf Arab country, which has reported 176 cases of the virus, said violators of the curfew could face up to three years in jail or fines of up to 10,000 dinars ($32,157). The Kuwait National Guard will aid police in imposing the curfew.
Kuwait's cabinet also decided to extend a suspension of government and private agencies for two weeks. It had already announced an extension to a suspension of schools and universities until 4 August – the first among its neighbours to impose such lengthy education closures
to limit the spread of the sometimes deadly disease.
Yemen
Hunched over sewing machines in a long abandoned factory in Yemen's capital Sanaa, 20 women stitch face masks as a country ravaged by war, hunger and disease prepares for the arrival of a new epidemic.
COVID-19 has yet to be documented in Yemen, but Abdel Ilah, who manages the factory that opened three days ago, is getting ready for its arrival. "Coronavirus is knocking on the whole world's door," he said.
The five-year conflict has killed more than 100,000 and unleashed a humanitarian crisis in which many others have died. Yemen's shattered healthcare infrastructure and already weakened population suggest the virus could wreak more havoc if takes hold.
India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked citizens to stay indoors for a voluntary dawn-to-dusk curfew on 22 March, but said they should make noise at 5 p.m. (1130 GMT) to show their appreciation for medics, nurses and sanitation workers.
People responded by blowing conch shells, singing patriotic songs and banging drums. Outside, the usually bustling streets were quiet.
India has confirmed 341 cases of the virus and five related deaths, as of Sunday. Modi described the 14-hour curfew as a test to assess the country's ability to fight the pandemic.
Pakistan
A Pakistani doctor who screened suspected coronavirus patients died on Sunday after testing positive for the virus, highlighting the danger to physicians who have threatened to strike unless access to protection equipment improves.
Pakistan, which borders Iran and China, two of the most affected countries, has reported three deaths and 658 infected patients, the highest number in South Asia.
Indonesia
Indonesia reported 65 new positive cases of coronavirus disease on Monday, bringing the
total number of cases in Southeast Asia's largest economy to 579, Health Ministry official Achmad Yurianto told reporters.
The number of people killed by the virus rose by one on Monday to 49, he said, while 30 patients have recovered from the disease.
(Reuters/AP/AFP)
