Coronavirus Pandemic
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday ordered the easing of coronavirus restrictions in the capital and four surrounding provinces even as the number of infections continues to rise, his spokesman said.
According to Presidential spokesman, Harry Roque, public transport and restaurants are to resume in the capital region of Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal under the less-stringent general community quarantine protocol.
Roque added that some other industries were also to be allowed to operate at reduced capacity, and gatherings of at least 10 people would be permitted.
“We need to re-open the economy at the same time as we refresh our responses to Covid-19.
“Government has stepped up efforts to test, isolate and treat those infected during the past two weeks,’’ Roque said.
Duterte had re-imposed a two-week lockdown in Manila and the four surrounding provinces after health frontliners warned the country was losing the battle against Covid-19, as infections have spiked with the easing of restrictions since June.
Health care workers asked for the 15-day lockdown to recalibrate the government’s response, stressing the need for improved testing and contact tracing.
On Tuesday, the Philippines’ total coronavirus infections stood at 169,213, with the Department of Health reporting an additional 4,836 cases. The death toll rose by seven up to 2,687.
The country’s caseload is now the largest in South-East Asia. (dpa/NAN)
– Aug. 18, 2020 @ 11.19 GMT |
Tags: COVID-19: Philippines ease restrictions in capital in spite rising infections
