Philippine capital Manila back in lockdown as virus cases surge

Empty pews with lighted candles are seen as priests officiate a Palm Sunday Mass at the St. Peter Parish Church in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on Sunday, March 28, 2021. - Reuters

MANILA, March 28 (Bloomberg: The Philippines placed the Manila region and nearby provinces under lockdown for a week from Monday to stem the nation’s worst coronavirus surge that’s overwhelming hospitals in its key economic area.

The national capital region and the adjacent Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal provinces will be under an enhanced community quarantine or ECQ, the nation’s strictest classification of movement curbs, from March 29 to April 4, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said on Saturday. A curfew from 6pm to 5am will be imposed during the lockdown.