Indonesia tops Singapore as Southeast Asia's COVID-19 hot spot

Experts warn against full reopening of economy before virus is stamped out

A woman wears a face shield and protective mask at a station in Jakarta as the government eases restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 on June 8. © Reuters

SHOTARO TANI, Nikkei staff writer

June 17, 2020 18:42 JST

JAKARTA -- Indonesia has once again become Southeast Asia's COVID-19 hot spot, overtaking Singapore in terms of cumulative cases on Wednesday.

The region's biggest economy reported an additional 1,031 infections, bringing its total to 41,431, while Singapore saw its figure rise to 41,216. Indonesia has seen an average of around 880 daily cases since early June, and now has the most confirmed cases in Southeast Asia.