Japan sees quiet start of Golden Week holiday

The impact of coronavirus lingered as Japan has seen a quiet start of Golden Week holiday on Saturday, while Malaysia recorded a three-digit increase of cases again upon easing restrictions

COVID-19 cases in Japan has increased to 14,859 as the nationwide death toll has risen to 514, including 13 from a cruise ship that was quarantined in Yokohama near Tokyo, the latest figures showed.

Tokyo confirmed 160 new cases, pushing the total number to 4,477 in the Japanese capital, followed by Osaka Prefecture with 1,656 infections.

City streets, transportation and tourist hot spots in Japan appeared quiet as the country's five-day Golden Week holidays began amid the COVID-19 outbreak, while the state of emergency is expected to be extended for at least one month beyond the current deadline of May 6.

Thailand reported six new COVID-19 cases and no deaths, with accumulated infections standing at 2,966.

Across 68 provinces, Bangkok has the most with 1,524 confirmed cases. The death toll remained at 54, and 2,732 people have recovered and returned home.

As Thailand prepares to kickstart the easing of lockdown restrictions, the authorities on Saturday inspected two luxury shopping malls in Bangkok to check their readiness to reopen for limited business on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Malaysia reported 105 new COVID-19 cases, the first time new cases have passed the 100 mark since April 16, as the country is relaxing its restrictions to reopen the economy.

The Indonesian government announced 292 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections in the archipelagic country to 10,843.

The Australian Capital Territory announced a slight easing of coronavirus social distancing restrictions from this weekend.

Under the new guidelines, citizens can travel outside of the region in small groups to visit family and friends while maintaining physical distancing. Leaving the house for non-essential shopping will also be allowed.

Afghanistan reported 179 new COVID-19 cases, the second biggest daily increase so far, the Ministry of Public Health confirmed. Four COVID-19 patients died during the period, bringing the death toll to 72 across the country, the statement added.

The Philippines reported 156 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of coronavirus infections in the country to 8,928.

India's federal health ministry reported 66 new deaths due to COVID-19 besides additional 1,971 positive cases since Friday evening across the country, taking the number of deaths to 1,218 and total cases to 37,336.

South Korea reported six more cases of the COVID-19 compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 10,780.

The daily caseload hovered below 20 for 15 straight days. All the new cases were imported, lifting the combined number to 1,081.

New Zealand reported one more death case of COVID-19, adding the total death number of COVID-19 in the country to 20, the Ministry of Health said.

Meanwhile, New Zealand reported two new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and four new probable cases.