COVID-19: Philippines eases lockdown in Manila capital

Checking body temprature in the Philippines (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Millions of people returned to work in the Philippines’s Manila capital on June 1 as one of the world's strictest and longest COVID-19 lockdowns was eased to help resuscitate the economy.

After nearly three months of applying the blockade order, public transport such as trains and shuttle buses are allowed to operate in Manila but on a limited scale.

The majority of businesses are allowed to reopen, while residents can leave home without a permit. However, schools, bars and restaurants are still closed. Currently, both children and the elderly in the country are required to stay at home unless they need to go out to buy necessities.

Earlier, the Philippine government relaxed restrictions in small towns outside Manila.

The Philippine Ministry of Health reported that the country recorded 552 new cases of COVID-19 and three deaths on the same day, raising the totals to 18,638 and 960, respectively.

The Philippines currently has the third highest number of infections and the second highest number of deaths in Southeast Asia.

In Thailand, the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration under the Thai government has suggested considering a long holiday in July to make up for the cancellation of Songkran festivities that was supposed to be in April.

However, the centre said this plan is only possible if the Thai people are able to help bring the new COVID-19 cases to only one digit, or better at zero.

Previously, the Thai government delayed the Songkran holiday slated for April 13-15 until "further notice" for fear that large gatherings and the homecoming of revellers could exacerbate the COVID-19 outbreak.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Ministry of Health  announced that the country confirmed 467 more COVID-19 patients and 28 deaths on June 1, bringing the total of infections and fatalities to 26,940 and 1,641, respectively./.