Philippines keeps curbs, defers easing restrictions

Strict precautions: A health worker transports a suspected Covid-19 patient at a hospital in Manila. Daily cases in the Philippines have been increasing by near record levels in recent days. — Reuters

MANILA: Philippine authorities have deferred easing restrictions on public movement in the capital region, keeping the current curbs potentially through Sept 15, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said yesterday. Stocks and the peso fell.

Metro Manila, an area that accounts for about a third of the Philippine economy, will remain under the second-toughest restrictions on movement – called “modified enhanced community quarantine” – Roque said in a statement.