Jakarta (VNA) - The Indonesian Health Ministryannounced 973 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on May 21, the biggest daily jumpso far.

Of the new cases, 502 were located in East Java, whicheven surpassed that of Jakarta.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s Security agencies have agreed onthe need to extend use of the emergency decree for another month, until the endof June, on concerns about the COVID-19 situation.

National Security Council Secretary-General Gen SomsakRungsita said a meeting of the committee on easing COVID-19 restrictions, whichhe chaired, agreed on the extension to June 30,as the global situation was still worrying.

Although Thailand had successfully controlled thespread of the coronavirus, extra caution is needed to prevent a possible a second wave of COVID-19 infections following the easing of the nationwidelockdown.

If a second outbreak occurs, the damage will bemore severe, Gen Somsak said.

The resolution would be forwarded to the Centre for Covid-19 SituationAdministration. If the CCSA agreed, it would be submmitted to thecabinet next week for a decision, Gen Somsak said.

Domestic travel is now permitted in Laos for allpeople throughout the country, but prevention measures and guidelines must bestrictly followed.

The measures include arranging suitable seating forpassengers with social distancing of at least one meter and everyone must havetheir body temperature checked.

Businesses managers must provide soap and hand sanitiser for customers.

Laos has conducted testing on 4,812 suspected cases,with 19 positive. Fourteen patients have recovered./.