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Asia

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Singapore to also isolate household members of a close contact of Covid-19 case

SINGAPORE – Singapore will begin putting entire households in isolation, should one household member be identified as a close contact of a Covid-19 case, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday (May 31). This is because the country’s experience has shown that an infected person is quite likely to pass the virus on to […]

Malaysia's Supermax says abiding by labour laws after report on US probe

KUALA LUMPUR (REUTERS) – Malaysian glove maker Supermax Corp on Monday (May 31) said it adhered to labour laws on treatment of migrant workers, after a report that the United States was investigating a unit over forced labour allegations. On Saturday, the Edge Weekly said US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is investigating Malaysian glove […]

Taiwan approves $20 billion in new spending to deal with Covid-19 impact

TAIPEI (REUTERS) – Taiwan’s Parliament approved on Monday (May 31) an extra T$420 billion (S$20.08 billion) in stimulus spending to help the economy deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, as the island curbs business activity to counter a spike in domestic infections. Early and effective prevention steps, including largely closing its borders, had succeeded in shielding […]

Coronavirus: Hong Kong eases quarantine for vaccinated top staff, drawing ire

HONG KONG (BLOOMBERG) – Hong Kong is allowing vaccinated directors and senior executives of major listed companies to travel globally more easily, in a significant relaxation of its onerous border curbs that is drawing backlash from the wider population for being elitist. Vaccinated senior executives from about 500 companies included in indexes like the Hang […]

Applications for Covid-19 Recovery Grant (Temporary) to begin June 3

SINGAPORE – Applications for the Covid-19 Recovery Grant – Temporary (CRG-T) will begin on Thursday (June 3) and end a month later on July 2. The grant, first announced on Friday (May 28), is meant to assist lower- to middle-income workers who have been financially impacted by the latest Covid-19 restrictions. Eligible workers who have […]

Qantas offers unlimited flights in biggest Covid-19 vaccine incentive

SYDNEY (BLOOMBERG) – Qantas Airways is offering unlimited flights for a year among a pool of prizes for people who have had Covid-19 shots, the biggest incentive yet from an Australian business in a bid to accelerate the country’s sluggish vaccination roll-out. Giving details about the programme on Monday (May 31), chief executive Alan Joyce […]

Some bosses holding on to maids' passports illegally

SINGAPORE – A new initiative to pay random visits to employers and their foreign domestic workers has uncovered some instances of employers illegally holding on to their workers’ passports and work permits. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has made 200 such checks since last month. Domestic workers and migrant welfare groups told The Straits Times […]

Small businesses in Malaysia welcome full Covid-19 lockdown but plead for government aid

PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) – Mamak shops, eateries and coffee-shop groups in Malaysia have welcomed the full lockdown that will start on Tuesday (June 1) but are pleading for various assistance from the government to help them survive the current circumstances. Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association president Jawahar Ali Taib Khan said they […]

24 people get Covid-19 vaccination at home under ongoing pilot project

SINGAPORE – Mr K.S. Toh, 68, suffered a stroke four years ago that resulted in him having to rely on a wheelchair to move around. Despite wanting to get vaccinated against Covid-19, he found it difficult to travel to the nearest vaccination centre by himself as he lives alone in a three-room flat in Yishun. […]

Morning Briefing: Top stories from The Straits Times on May 31

Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Monday, May 31.  95-year-old dies of Covid-19; 5 new cases linked to NTUC Foodfare in Anchorvale, free testing for visitors MOH is investigating cases of Covid-19 infection among people who work at the coffee shop. READ MORE HERE PM Lee Hsien Loong to address nation on […]