In line with the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, a tougher lockdown will be implemented in some parts of Metro Manila and some of its surrounding provinces for the whole week.
“The virus is the enemy, not the government,” Roque said in the recent interview. “While we’re at home we expect the infection rates to slow. The government is ready to provide assistance.”
Starting tomorrow, March 29, workers will return to a work-from-home scheme and only essential workers will be allowed outside their homes. Operations of public transportations are also halted. Mass gatherings will also be affected by this lockdown. Night curfew will be implemented from 6 pm until 5 am. Non-essential businesses will also be halted.
President Duterte is also planning to boost the contract tracing effort as well as the mass testing to cover more people and identify as early as possible those who are infected by the virus before they start infecting other people.
Previously, religious activity was allowed as long as it only takes 10 percent of the church’s capacity. But as the lockdown begins, it will be banned once again despite the coming Holy Week and Easter celebrations.
The Department of Health has recorded a surge of patients with 9,595 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday. This is by far the highest one-day recorded case in the Philippines.
