Besides the Manila lockdown, the President also banned mass gatherings, approved a month of school closures and quarantining in communities where confirmed cases are detected. This step followed the first domestic transmission of the virus in the Philippines which brought the total number of infected people in the country to 53 with two people killed by the virus.
The President further admitted the measures would include banning foreigners travelling from countries with domestic transmissions from entering the Philippines. Even if the measures 'could create public disturbances or disorder', the authorities hope for understanding.
Earlier, the Clark International Airport (CRK), which serves Central and Northern Luzon including Metro Manila, reported a 50 percent drop in passenger traffic due to the virus scare.
Before the Covid-19 crisis the airport handled 280 international flights per week while now the figure hardly reaches 130 flights. At the same time, domestic flights increased from 406 to 428 weekly.
Manila Locked Down Temporarily
News in Asia
All domestic land, sea and air travel to and from Manila were put on a halt yesterday after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced a "lockdown" of the capital in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus.