Cautious optimism as Philippines, Malaysia ease some coronavirus curbs

People who are fully vaccinated dine in a restaurant, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia August 20, 2021. REUTERS

MANILA: After 17 months of on-off lockdown measures in and around the Philippine capital Manila, its weary residents are hoping the latest easing of restrictions can breathe some life into an economy weighed down by the COVID-19 crisis.

The Philippines, which has one of Asia's worst and longest-running coronavirus epidemics, announced a loosening of measures late on Thursday to try spur activity in an economy that contracted a record 9.5% last year.