Covid in the Philippines: new confinement in Manila in the face of the resurgence of the Delta variant
Police check on the first day of new containment to prevent the spread of the Delta variant, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, August 6, 2021. REUTERS - ELOISA LOPEZ
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3 min
A new containment came into force in Manila this Friday, August 6, the Philippine authorities trying to contain an upsurge in the country of cases linked to the Delta variant of Covid-19.
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Across Metro Manila - the capital region where more than 13 million people live - police checkpoints have been set up, causing long queues, with police inspecting vehicles to ensure that only the people working for essential industries were on board.
Experts had warned that a wave of contaminations linked to this highly contagious variant could overwhelm hospitals in the coming weeks if the restrictive measures were not drastically strengthened in the capital.
The confinement announced last week was extended Thursday to the province of Laguna, south of Manila.
Restrictions have been tightened in other areas where contaminations have soared.
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The Philippines has recorded more than 330 cases of Delta in recent weeks and authorities fear the variant may spread across the archipelago.
In total, more than 1.6 million cases have been recorded in the country, including more than 28,000 deaths, since the start of the pandemic.
The various lockdowns as well as restrictive measures, such as banning children from going outside, have left the economy bloodless, millions of people unemployed and families in precariousness.
Towards an increase in poverty
This new confinement could worsen the phenomenon of poverty, the government having so far only paid aid of 4,000 pesos (67 euros) per household.
Only businesses and workers in essential sectors can continue to operate for the next two weeks.
Outdoor sports are permitted, but an eight-hour nighttime curfew has been put in place.
With unvaccinated people fearing that they would not be allowed to leave their homes or receive government assistance during lockdown, thousands of residents flocked to vaccination centers on Thursday.
The country is struggling to vaccinate its population due to supply difficulties and logistical problems.
Only 10 million people - 9% of the population - have ever received two doses of the vaccine.
(With
AFP
)
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Philippines
Coronavirus
Vaccines