World News

The Philippines implemented strict quarantine measures on Luzon island, suspending travel, businesses, and classes. Millions of Filipinos are confined at home, experiencing panic and despair as they navigate the month-long lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic.

As Malaysia faces a sharp spike in coronavirus cases, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announces a comprehensive nationwide lockdown starting March 18. The measures include home confinement for 32 million citizens, closure of non-essential businesses, and travel restrictions to mitigate the pandemic's impact.

President Rodrigo Duterte ordered an enhanced community quarantine across Luzon, restricting movement and causing significant challenges for minimum wage workers. The measure limits household members, suspends transportation, and regulates access to food and health services to combat coronavirus spread.

Walt Disney Company shuts down all eleven theme parks across global locations, including Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris. Disney Cruise Line also suspends new departures through the end of March as a precautionary measure against the spreading coronavirus pandemic.

Italy has closed most businesses and implemented a nationwide quarantine as coronavirus cases surge. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced only essential services like supermarkets and pharmacies will remain open. With over 12,000 confirmed cases and 827 deaths, Italy becomes the second-most affected country globally.

The Philippine government has implemented strict travel bans to control coronavirus spread, restricting entry from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau with limited exceptions for nationals and permanent residents.

Saudi Arabia slashed oil prices by up to $8 after Russia rejected proposed production cuts, triggering a global market collapse and sending oil prices down 48% for the year in the most significant price drop since 1991.

Nine Japanese suspects linked to a telecommunications fraud syndicate were deported from the Philippines by the Bureau of Immigration. The group, active since 2018, is accused of scamming over 1,500 Japanese citizens of approximately 1.5 billion yen ($13 million) through voice phishing techniques.

South Korea's coronavirus cases surged from 31 to 833 in days, prompting government to raise virus alert and implement strict quarantine measures. The epidemic is impacting the nation's economy, with declining domestic consumption and exports due to trade dependencies.

The Indian government's recent travel advisory to Singapore threatens tourism, with potential significant impacts on the travel industry. Last year, India contributed over 1.4 million tourists to Singapore, and tour operators anticipate economic consequences during the upcoming summer holiday season.