Malaysia extends movement control order until Apr. 14

15:08, March 25, 2020

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  Malaysia extends comprehensive restrictive measures to contain COVID-19 outbreak: PM

  Malaysias Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin holds his cabinet list folder after a news conference in Putrajaya, Malaysia, March 9, 2020. (Photo: Agencies)KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia is extending the "movement control order" that includes comprehensive restrictive measures for two more weeks till April 14, in an effort to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced Wednesday.In a televised speech, Muhyiddin said the number of cases in the country went up to 1,796 by noon Wednesday after an additional 172 cases had been reported, with total deaths standing at 17.The current restrictive efforts have shown effects in containing the outbreak but as the number of confirmed cases is projected to continue to increase for some time, the government is forced to extend the period of the restrictions, he said.Malaysia has been implementing the "movement control order" since March 18, including closing shops and schools as well as imposing travel bans.It called for residents to stay at home in an effort to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. The restriction measures were originally to end on March 31.

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  Lebanon's COVID-19 cases rise to 368

  BEIRUT, March 26 -- The number of COVID-19 cases in Lebanon increased on Thursday by 35 to 368, with six deaths so far, the National News Agency reported.Meanwhile, the government decided to extend the nationwide lockdown for two additional weeks until April 12 in a bid to contain the spread of the

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  Pentagon orders 60-day freeze on overseas US forces movements over COVID-19

  (Photo: Xinhua)WASHINGTON, March 25 (Xinhua) -- US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper issued an order to stop movements of overseas US forces for up to 60 days to curb the spread of the coronavirus among military, according to media reports.In a Wednesday interview with Reuters, the Pentagon chief said the order applied to all US forces, civilian personnel, and families, while noting that there would be some exceptions.Esper said that the US forces withdrawal from Afghanistan would continue. Under the US-Taliban deal that was inked last month, the United States would reduce its forces in Afghanistan to 8,600 within 135 days. Currently, there are about 13,000 US troops in the country.The exceptions might also include naval vessels scheduled to return to the United States, according to CNN, adding that the order will affect 90,000 expected scheduled deployments, including both troops scheduled to return home and deploy overseas.The Pentagon on the same day also raised the Health Protection Condition (HPCOM) level to its second-highest level "Charlie" at all Defense Department installations globally, which directs to cancel large-scale meetings, implement remote work procedures, among others.The Department of Defense reported 435 COVID-19 cases as of 5 a.m. March 25. A contractor at the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) died on Saturday due to the coronavirus, the first such fatality related to the Pentagon.