Coronavirus: Philippines capital emerges from lockdown into economic uncertainty, fears of second wave of infection

Manila has endured one of the world’s longest lockdowns, which has hit the livelihoods of millions but not halted a steady stream of new infections

Easing restrictions is aimed at resuscitating the faltering economy, but observers fear the nation is ill equipped to handle a renewed surge in cases

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A boy waits for a bus put on to ferry away those stranded in the Philippine capital amid the almost three-month coronavirus lockdown. Photo: AP

Published: 7:30pm, 31 May 2020Updated: 9:29am, 1 Jun 2020

After 76 days of a coronavirus quarantine that shut down the Philippines’ economic heart and kept millions under virtual house arrest, Metro Manila will spring abruptly back to life on Monday with the easing of restrictions on transport and work.

The change has been met with both relief and trepidation: businesses cheer the restarting of an economy on life support, but analysts worry that the rate of Covid-19 infection in the country is still too high and easing restrictions might lead to a spike in new cases.

“What’s scared me is that we’re opening our economy but our coronavirus infection numbers haven’t really died down,” said Ron Acoba, chief investment strategist at Trading Edge Consultancy, pointing to the hundreds of new infections being reported by the country each day.

Most businesses in the capital will be allowed to reopen from Monday and public transport is to return in a limited form, although children and the elderly will have to stay home unless they are out getting essentials or headed to work. There will also still be a curfew.

A resident crosses a street inside a quarantined community in Caloocan City, Metro Manila, on May 28. Photo: EPA

Officially referred to as “general community quarantine”, this third phase of Manila’s virus lockdown is set to be in place until June 15. It will see cars and express buses return to the roads, with trains also permitted to restart operations, but other buses and jeepneys will still be banned. Officials have hinted that all public transport might be allowed to return after June 22.

Coronavirus: Philippines capital emerges from lockdown into economic uncertainty, fears of second wave of infection

Manila has endured one of the world’s longest lockdowns, which has hit the livelihoods of millions but not halted a steady stream of new infections Easing restrictions is aimed at resuscitating the faltering economy, but observers fear the nation is ill equipped to handle a renewed surge in cases