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Philippines to go under strict lockdown till Easter

The country, on Saturday reported 9,838 new coronavirus cases

HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS/PHILIPPINES Police officers at a checkpoint as the country's capital returns to stricter lockdown measures | Reuters

The Philippines, in an attempt to curb a surge in coronavirus cases, has will strict lockdown measures in the capital city of Manila and nearby provinces. A new resurgence in cases are being caused by new contagious strains f the virus, a senior health official told AP. The country, on Saturday, reported 9,838 new coronavirus cases—the highest ever in the Philippines.

Under the new lockdown measures that would be effective starting Monday, about a fifth of the population would have to work from home, unless they are considered essential workers. The strict measures will last a week. Manila and surrounding provinces have already been placed in a travel bubble, to contain the virus.

Mass gatherings will be banned and a curfew from 6 pm to 5 am will be imposed. All non-essential businesses will be shut. Restaurants will be allowed to provide take-out to delivery services.

Religious gatherings, that were earlier allowed with 10 per cent capacity will now be banned.

President Rodrigo Duterte wanted to ramp up contact-tracing efforts and mass testing to identify the scope of people infected with the virus, Presidential spokesperson Henry Roque said.

Religious gatherings that were previously allowed to up to 10 per cent capacity, are now also banned.

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