Philippines shuts churches, curbs travel as virus surges; 7,757 daily new Covid-19 cases confirmed, second highest total reported

Curfew violators gathered at a covered court are made to exercise as punishment as the government imposes curfew hours across Metro Manila in response to the surge of the coronavirus disease cases, in Manila, Philippines, March 20, 2021. - Reuters

Manila, March 21, 2021 (AFP): Churches in Manila will be closed, eating inside restaurants banned and leisure travel outside the Philippine capital curbed under new coronavirus rules unveiled Sunday as the country battles a resurgence in infections.

The number of new cases has exceeded 7,000 for three days in a row -- the highest since the start of the pandemic -- taking the country's caseload to more than 663,000 and straining hospitals.