Canada will invest CAN$240 million (US$170 million) to develop virtual care and mental health tools for residents to better cope with the consequences of the novel coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sunday.

The funds will be used mainly to create new digital platforms and applications to give Canadians "strategies to manage stress or support from a procurement professional," Trudeau said.

It will also aim to strengthen online virtual care to help stop the spread of the virus, which has officially infected nearly 60,000 people and resulted in more than 3,750 deaths in Canada.

"By helping doctors run appointments online, you can stay safe at home while getting care, and our hospitals can stay focused on those who need it most," said Trudeau, speaking during his daily press briefing.

"If we can use apps to order dinner and videochats to stay in touch with family, we can use new technology to keep each other healthy," he said.

Several Canadian provinces, including the two most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic -- Ontario and Quebec -- have announced a progressive return to work and the reopening of schools in the coming weeks. Health authorities say they are reasonably optimistic about controling the outbreak.

Asia virus latest: Philippines cancels inbound flights, Thailand parks re-open
Hong Kong (AFP) May 3, 2020 - Here are the latest developments from Asia related to the novel coronavirus pandemic:

- Thais hit the park as restrictions eased -

Thailand began easing restrictions on movement and gatherings, allowing restaurants, hair salons and open-air markets to resume business -- provided that social distancing is maintained and proprietors carry out temperature checks.

Joggers and cyclists crowded into Bangkok's public parks to exercise and enjoy the sun and open space after more than a month of closure.

Authorities also resumed selling alcohol after a three-week ban, though they warned that restrictions could be reinstated if it caused an increase of large gatherings.

- Philippines cancels all inbound flights -

The Philippines halted all inbound passenger flights for a week to free up space in quarantine centres filled with thousands of migrant workers who have come home during the coronavirus pandemic.

Some 24,000 Filipinos working abroad have already returned -- many after losing their jobs as the global economy screeches to a halt -- and have been required to undergo a 14-day quarantine in government centres that have rapidly reached capacity.

Outbound flights will continue to operate, the government said.

- India's military salutes health workers -

India's air force conducted flypasts over several cities and showered flower petals onto health workers standing outside their hospitals in tribute to medical staff battling the coronavirus.

Millions of migrant workers also queued up to board trains and buses to return home to their villages after being stranded in cities across the nation during a weeks-long coronavirus lockdown.

The "King of Bollywood", superstar Shah Rukh Khan, and cricket captain Virat Kohli were among more than 70 of India's biggest stars who joined an hours-long online fundraiser for those out of work or otherwise needy during the pandemic.

Rock legend Mick Jagger and actor Will Smith also appeared and spoke about the migrant workers' struggles to the tens of thousands of viewers watching on Facebook.

- South Korea to ease restrictions on gatherings -

South Korea said it will loosen social distancing rules this week to allow gatherings and events to take place as the number of new coronavirus cases has dropped significantly.

Some professional sports, including baseball and soccer, are also due to start their new seasons this week although the matches will be played behind closed doors.

- NZ Warriors quarantine in Aussie country music hub -

The New Zealand Warriors rugby league team arrived in Australia after the National Rugby League secured a rare exemption from the ban on international arrivals that allowed the squad to enter the country ahead of a planned resumption of the sport.

The NRL's only international side will spend 14 days in quarantine in the town of Tamworth, Australia's country music hub, before competition restarts on May 28.

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Virus lockdowns scale back May Day rallies
Hong Kong (AFP) May 1, 2020
Workers were forced to scale back May Day rallies around the world on Friday because of coronavirus lockdowns, although some pushed on with online events and others hit the streets in face masks. The traditional festival of the workers' movement usually attracts millions of people to loud and boisterous marches through the streets - and occasional violent confrontations with police forces. This year the date carries extra significance after the COVID-19 outbreak sent the global economy into a h ... read more