Virus restrictions leave Asian cities mostly empty

In an effort to stay safe while covering the global coronavirus pandemic, Associated Press journalists are recording movement restrictions in Southeast Asian cities by filming empty streets from the safety of their cars.

Normally busy streets were clear Tuesday in Singapore, where the government last week began imposing "circuit breaker" measures to prevent the increase of COVID-19 transmissions in the country.

Last Friday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had announced the closure of schools and most workplaces for a month.

Most workplaces, except for essential services and key economic sectors, are closed starting Tuesday, and schools will be closed from Wednesday.

As of Tuesday, the island state has reported a total of 1,375 cases, with six deaths and 344 recoveries.

Malaysia's nationwide movement control order enforced by the government will remain until April 14.

It has a total of 3,793 cases, the highest number in Southeast Asia.

Kuala Lumpur's downtown, full of malls and plazas, was mostly closed and deserted.

The president of the Philippines extended its monthlong lockdown to April 30, requiring millions of people in the country's main northern region to stay home amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Rodrigo Duterte said Monday in a late-night televised speech that the government was desperately looking for more funds for a massive cash and food aid.

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

But the virus is highly contagious and can be spread by those with mild or no visible symptoms.

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