Philippines to place Manila area in lockdown to curb Delta spread

July 30, 2021 - 11:01 AM
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Police and barangay officers man the entry and exit points of Barangay 297 in Manila at Monday midnight, March 22, 2021 after it was placed under a four-day lockdown along with 12 other barangays. (The STAR/Walter Bollozos)

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday approved the imposition of lockdown measures in the capital region to prevent the spread of the more contagious Delta coronavirus variant, the presidential spokesperson said.

The Manila capital region, an urban sprawl of 16 cities home to more than 13 million people, will be placed under the tightest quarantine curbs from August 6 to 20, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a televised address.

“While it is a painful decision, this is for the good of all.” —Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales; Editing by Ed Davies