Covid-19: Philippines prolongs curbs, more areas under strict quarantine

Manila - The government has imposed tighter measures in nine cities and 12 provinces.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday extended partial coronavirus curbs in the capital and nearby provinces until end-June, but placed more areas under tighter quarantine measures because of rising infections and high hospital occupancy.

Covid-19 cases in the capital region, home to at least 13 million people, have eased from their peak in April, but provinces are battling surges, showing that the pandemic is far from over in the Southeast Asian nation.

In a weekly national address, Duterte told the public to get inoculated and comply with health regulations. “If you do not get vaccinated, you will really die.”

The government imposed tighter measures in nine cities and 12 provinces, including those in central and southern Philippines, that limit the operating capacity of businesses and shut down non-essential establishments.

“The current downward trend remains fragile as evidenced by the minor uptick in cases the past month,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque said in the televised address.

• Philippines