Advertisement
Coronavirus pandemic
AsiaSoutheast Asia

Coronavirus: Manila to go back on strict lockdown as cases in Philippines top 100,000

  • Country reported record daily tally of 5,032 cases on Sunday, and has second-most cases in Southeast Asia after Indonesia
  • Medical groups have called for the government to reimpose lockdown after cases soared when tough Covid-19 restrictions were lifted on June 1

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
0
A health worker gestures while waiting for a patient at a swabbing booth in Quezon City, Metro Manila, as the number of coronavirus cases in the Philippines continues to soar. Photo: EPA-EFE
Reuters
The Philippines will reimpose a stricter coronavirus lockdown in and around the capital for two weeks from Tuesday, authorities said on Sunday, as the country struggles to contain infections that have jumped to more than 100,000 cases.
President Rodrigo Duterte has approved placing Metro Manila and nearby provinces such as Laguna, Cavite, Rizal and Bulacan under so-called “Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine” (MECQ) until August 18, his spokesman Harry Roque told reporters.

Some businesses and public transport are expected to be closed in the capital, which is currently under the less restrictive General Community Quarantine classification.

Work and quarantine passes will also be required, as authorities seek to restrict movements.

A woman's temperature is measured before riding a passenger jeepney in Metro Manila. Photo: AP
A woman's temperature is measured before riding a passenger jeepney in Metro Manila. Photo: AP
Duterte’s move came after 80 local groups representing 80,000 doctors and a million nurses called for tighter controls, saying the country was losing the fight against the coronavirus.
Advertisement