Asia News Wrap: COVID-19 spreads in Southeast Asia, and more

Here are a few stories from around Asia you may have missed this week.

COVID-19 cases climb in Southeast Asia amid new variant spread

COVID-19 has resumed spreading across Southeast Asia, with Thailand reporting 28,294 new cases in the first two days of June, including one death and hundreds requiring hospitalization. According to the Department of Disease Control, 18,102 new cases were reported on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, in Indonesia, the Health Ministry has urged healthcare facilities to remain vigilant and enhance COVID-19 surveillance amid a surge in cases driven by a more transmissible but less lethal Omicron subvariant. The ministry noted that on Tuesday, the country reported seven more confirmed cases than the previous week, with the positivity rate falling to 2.05 percent from a peak of 3.62 percent the week before.

Indonesia's Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin met with President Prabowo Subianto to discuss the increasing number of COVID-19 cases. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said, "Cases are indeed increasing, but the rise is caused by variants that are relatively less deadly."

In India's capital, Delhi, two COVID-19 deaths were recorded this week. This brings the number of COVID-19 deaths in Delhi since the beginning of the year to seven.

Stampede kills 11 as Bengaluru fans celebrate IPL win

At least 11 people died on Wednesday in a stampede outside a cricket stadium in Bengaluru, India, where fans had gathered to celebrate the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team's first Indian Premier League title. The crowd had assembled to welcome home the players after their thrilling victory over the Punjab Kings in Tuesday night's final. Karnataka state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said most of the deceased were young, with 11 confirmed dead and 47 injured in the crush.

Japan to fine firms over heat safety failures

Japan has passed legislation that will fine employers who fail to take adequate precautions to protect workers from extreme temperatures. The revised law, which came into effect on Sunday, follows 30 workplace deaths and around 1,200 heat-related injuries last year. Most of those affected worked in construction or manufacturing. The government moved to strengthen protections following last summer's searing heat, which included the highest July temperatures on record, the ministry said in a statement.

Businesses now face penalties, including fines of ¥500,000 ($3,475), if their provisions are deemed insufficient. According to The Japan Times, "The legislation requires employers to implement protocols to quickly spot and aid workers showing symptoms of heatstroke. Policies encourage companies to use a buddy system at work sites, distribute wearable devices to monitor staff and provide emergency transportation to hospitals or clinics.”

Vietnam ends two-child rule as birth rate hits new low

Vietnam abolished its long-standing two-child policy on Tuesday in an effort to reverse declining birth rates and ease the pressures of an aging population. The National Assembly passed amendments removing rules that limited families to two children. Vietnamese families are now having fewer children than ever before. The birth rate in 2021 was 2.11 children per woman – just above the replacement rate needed to maintain a stable population. Since then, the rate has steadily declined to 2.01 in 2022, 1.96 in 2023 and 1.91 in 2024.

Taklimakan Rally crowns champions in Xinjiang

The 2025 Taklimakan Rally wrapped up in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Sunday. The overall winners were Martin Michek in the motorcycle category and Liu Yangui in the car category. In the inaugural NEV category, Yao Weiqiang of the Great Wall Tank Hi4 Team claimed victory. Launched in 2005, the event has grown into Asia's longest, largest and most competitive off-road race – emerging as a vivid symbol of a dynamic, modern Xinjiang.

(Cover: A monk wears a face mask at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha as Thai health authorities urge the public to stay cautious following a surge in COVID-19 cases, Bangkok, Thailand, May 28, 2025. /CFP)