[ad_1]
MANILA (REUTERS) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday (November 30) that partial coronavirus restrictions will remain in the capital region until the end of the year, and the government urged Filipinos to limit Christmas gatherings. to avoid a post-holiday spike in COVID-19 Cases.
People are still required to wear masks and face shields and observe social distancing in Metro Manila, as well as Duterte’s hometown of Davao, and six other areas throughout December, while less stringent restrictions will apply in the rest of the country.
In a televised speech late at night, Duterte reminded Filipinos of the danger of ignoring security protocols, citing what he said was a third wave of infections in Europe and the United States.
He blamed the resurgence in those countries on the stubbornness of some people.
In the Philippines, cases continued to rise after restrictions were relaxed, which he said was necessary because people needed to earn a living.
The Philippines, which has the second highest number of Covid-19 infections and deaths in Southeast Asia behind Indonesia, has recorded 431,630 confirmed cases and 8,392 deaths.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque called on Filipinos to limit Christmas gatherings to immediate family members, as he warned against complacency and ignoring health regulations.
The Secretary of the Interior, Eduardo Ano, said that Christmas parties, family gatherings and the singing of Christmas carols outside the houses are considered prohibited mass gatherings, but that minors may go to shopping centers if they are accompanied by their parents.
The Philippines, which ranks 44th in terms of active Covid-19 cases worldwide, closed its first supply deal for a coronavirus vaccine last week, securing 2.6 million injections of a potential vaccine developed by AstraZeneca.
Five vaccine manufacturers, including AstraZeneca, requested last-stage trials in the Philippines.
[ad_2]
