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| - Here are the latest developments from Asia related to the novel coronavirus pandemic: China reported 78 new cases of the virus, with the vast majority brought in from overseas as fears rise of a second wave of infections. The virus emerged in the central city of Wuhan in December and initially spread rapidly in China, but authorities brought it under control after placing tens of millions of people under lockdown. Global markets have experienced some of their biggest falls in decades as the pandemic spreads worldwide, but Asian equities and oil received a welcome boost after the US Federal Reserve unleashed major new stimulus. The US central bank's unprecedented bond-buying programme to support the virus-hit American economy essentially amounts to a vow to print cash, a move not seen since the global financial crisis more than a decade ago. Senior International Olympic Committee official Dick Pound said a postponement of this year's Tokyo Olympics is now inevitable, a day after Canada pulled out of the Games. The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee joined a growing chorus of sports bodies voicing support for a delay to the July 24-August 9 Games, after a survey showed a majority of American athletes backed a postponement. South Korea doubled its business aid package to 100 trillion won ($80 billion), with President Moon Jae-in saying it would help "not only self-employed and small-to-medium size companies but also major industries". At one point South Korea was the country hardest-hit by the virus outside China, but widespread testing and quarantine efforts have seen its new case numbers fall below 100 a day. The former Portuguese colony followed neighbouring Hong Kong in tightening border controls, with foreigners banned from entry, some residents barred and restrictions placed on others. The gambling hub has been hit hard by the outbreak, with the key casino industry suffering its worst monthly downturn on record in February after city-wide closures aimed at stopping the spread of the virus. After weeks claiming that Myanmar's healthy "lifestyle and diet" were protecting it from the pandemic, authorities in Yangon announced the country's first cases of the novel coronavirus. The health ministry confirmed that a 36-year-old man travelling back from the United States and a 26-year-old man returning from Britain had both tested positive. India will ground all domestic passenger flights from Wednesday to combat the spread of the virus, having already banned incoming international arrivals and sealed most of its land borders. Sea and river ports were also shut late Monday, meaning all incoming passenger traffic into India was now banned, while most train services were cancelled across the country. Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan faced a storm of criticism over social media posts -- now deleted -- which appeared to suggest the use of noise and lunar activity can drive away the virus. Some said he did not actually endorse the claims -- nevertheless the online backlash was merciless. "Don't peddle lies about an ongoing pandemic," wrote one furious Twitter user. burs-sr/amj
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