South Asia roads empty amid govt virus restrictions

The normally congested roads of south east Asia's capital cities were deserted on Thursday as government restrictions on public movement tightened to contain the spread of coronavirus.

In Manila, the Philippines president on Wednesday threatened to order law enforcers to shoot troublemakers and stop a massive food and cash aid if people resort to riots and defy a lockdown imposed on millions to fight the coronavirus outbreak.

And on Tuesday, Vietnam announced it would lock down the country for at least two weeks starting at midnight Wednesday in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus.

Bangkok's popular tourist destination, the Grand Palace, stood on an empty street with none of its famous street carts in sight.

Indonesia's Jakarta and Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur were also largely devoid of of their infamous traffic.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could lead to death.