Asia-Pacific, Africa tighten curbs

NEW DELHI－Countries in the Asia-Pacific region and Africa are tightening their lockdown measures in order to slow down the pace of the rampant coronavirus.

India ordered its billion-plus population to stay inside for three weeks in a bid to arrest the pandemic as the number of confirmed cases rose to 562 on Wednesday.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Tuesday evening a complete lockdown of the entire country for 21 days, requiring everything but essential services to be shuttered.