Trekking permit for foreign national(s) has been temporarily halted in a bid to prevent possible spread of the COVID-19 in the country
'Amphan' intensifies into super cyclone over eastern India, Bangladesh
The India Meteorological Department on Monday said that extremely severe cyclonic storm Amphan over the west and central parts of Bay of Bengal has intensified into a "super cyclone" with wind speed above 200 km per hour
India says no plan to extend coronavirus lockdown
India has no plans to extend a 21-day lockdown to contain the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus in the country. The announcement came on Monday from the government's top bureaucrat
Bhutan’s bureaucrats to contribute 5 to 10% of salary for COVID-19 fund
Bureaucrats in Bhutan will be contributing five to 10 percent of their salaries for the COVID-19 relief fund set up by the government, the Royal Civil Servant Commission (RCSC) has said
Bhutan announces physical distancing measures for public transport
The Bhutanese government has announced several physical distancing measures to be followed in all public transport facilities, including taxis, in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic
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US pledges $1.8 million to Nepal
The US has pledged USD 1.8 million to bolster the Government of Nepal’s preparedness and response to COVID-19
Indian chartered flights for UAE visitors get new visas
A Dubai-based Indian businessman said that he chartered nine flights to enable 1,980 visit visa holders to change their visa, just before the suspension of new visas came to effect in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a measure against the coronavirus pandemic
Afghan government suggests ceasefire with Taliban
The Afghan government suggested a nationwide ceasefire with the Taliban to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus and deliver services to the people in Afghanistan, where the global pandemic has so far infected 22 people and forced the country to ban all types of social and political gatherings
Pakistan rules out COVID-19 delaying CPEC
Pakistan has ruled out the novel coronavirus pandemic, which has had a devastating impact on the global economy, would delay projects under the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
Afghanistan, Iran do tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions
The Afghan government has reportedly expelled two top Iranian diplomats from the country over charges of being involved in intelligence activities and for being members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to a media report. Sources within the Afghan government told TOLO News that in retaliation Tehran has also expelled two Afghan diplomates from Iran
US to provide $1mn to Pakistan to combat COVID-19
The US on Friday announced that it will provide Pakistan $1 million under the USAID programme to help improve monitoring and rapid response against the novel coronavirus outbreak in the South Asian country
Bhutan reports 2nd coronavirus case
Bhutan on Friday reported the country's second coronavirus case, a female tourist who is the partner of the first infected patient
Sri Lanka announces Island-wide curfew to be imposed until Monday
An island-wide curfew has been declared in Sri Lanka from 6 pm Friday till 6 am Monday, the President’s Office said
Sri Lanka’s parliamentary elections postponed amid COVID-19 outbreak
Sri Lanka’s general elections, which was scheduled to be held on April 25, have been postponed in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak
Maldives' main hospital urge retired healthcare workers to join back
The India Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), a state-owned multi-speciality hospital built with Indian help, and one of two hospitals in Malé, has urged retired health professionals, especially doctors, to join back in a bid to combat the COVID-19 pandemic
Nepal takes drastic steps to counter novel coronavirus threat
The Nepalese government has appealed to the people not to leave their homes unless it was urgent. It also urged the general public not to organise cultural or religions gatherings of more than 25 people at locations such as banquet halls and temples
Special hospital in Nepal for COVID-19 to be in operation soon
Nepal will shortly have a special hospital in Chitwan designated for treatment of COVID-19 patients
Foreigners not complying with mandatory self-quarantine measures
The Nepalese government had made 14-day self-quarantine mandatory for all foreigners entering the country on and after March 16 to curb the possible outbreak of coronavirus in Nepal, but they have not been adhering to the rules and the government seems to be doing nothing to cross-check implementation of the provision, The Himalayan Times said
'Colombo at risk due to COVID-19'
Sri Lanka's Government Medical Officers Association general secretary, Dr. Haritha Aluthge has said COVID-19 was spreading rapidly and it was difficult to ascertain the exact amount of infected individuals in Colombo district
