Governments around Asia look to cushion the blow of coronavirus

Singapore, Thailand, South Korea plan help for tourism business and supply chains

A Chinese woman in a face mask offers prayers at Erawan Shrine in Bangkok. Thailand's economic ministers have approved measures to help the tourism industry deal with the coronavirus outbreak. © AP

KENTARO IWAMOTO, Nikkei staff writer

February 3, 2020 20:10 JST

SINGAPORE -- As the number of coronavirus cases continues to mount, Asian nations have begun putting together financial aid packages for local businesses hit hard by the epidemic, which originated in China.

The immediate economic impact of the outbreak is already apparent in tourism, and stock markets around the region have highlighted investors' gloom. Some analysts say factory suspensions and travel restrictions could weigh on Asian supply chains.