Coronavirus: Philippines reimposes lockdown on Metro Manila; Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar tests positive
- The tougher restrictions in the country’s economic heartland were announced as more contagious variants of the virus fuelled a resurgence in cases.
- From Monday, people will have to work from home unless they are considered essential workers and public transport will be halted
The Philippines on Saturday announced that more than 24 million people in and around Manila will go into lockdown next week, as hospitals in the capital struggle to cope with a surge in coronavirus infections.
The tougher restrictions in the country’s economic heartland – which accounts for about a fifth of the population – come as more contagious variants of the virus fuel a resurgence in cases.
The week-long rules announced by presidential spokesman Harry Roque apply to Metro Manila and four surrounding provinces, which have already been placed in a travel bubble to try to prevent the spike spreading further.
“The virus is the enemy, not the government,” Roque said. “While we’re at home we expect the infection rates to slow.”
From Monday, people will have to work from home unless they are considered essential workers, and public transport will be halted.
All mass gatherings will be banned, nighttime curfews from 6pm to 5am be enforced and non-essential businesses will be shut.
03:44
‘Virus hunters’ in the Philippines study bats to prevent future pandemics