Philippines loosens coronavirus curbs in capital region

FILE PHOTO: A Filipino Muslim wearing a face mask as protection against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) carries a cat after the morning prayers on Eid al-Adha, outside the Blue Mosque in Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines, July 20, 2021. REUTERS/Lisa Marie David

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines further loosened coronavirus restrictions in the capital region on Friday, allowing restaurants to accept more guests and gyms to reopen after recording a decline in daily COVID 19 cases.

The Philippines, which is battling one of the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in Asia, is gradually relaxing curbs to allow the recovery of the economy.