Philippines: Restrictions Extended in Manila as Cases Surge
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday extended coronavirus restrictions in the capital Manila until mid-August and said the Southeast Asian country would be given priority by China if supplies of a vaccine became available.
The Philippines this month recorded Southeast Asia’s biggest daily jump in coronavirus deaths and biggest single-day increase in confirmed infections.
The capital region, provinces south of it, and cities in central Philippines were placed under general community quarantine, limiting movement of elderly and children, and the capacity of business establishments.
Duterte promised free vaccines if they became available by late this year, prioritizing first the poor and then the middle class, police and military personnel. The Philippines will be given precedence by China in vaccine distribution, he said.
