Manila set to ease its coronavirus-related lockdown

In the Philippines and President Rodrigo Duterte (pictured) has reportedly announced that the coronavirus-induced lockdown of metropolitan Manila is to be relaxed from tomorrow in an attempt to help jump-start the important region’s faltering economy.

According to a report from Inside Asian Gaming, the 75-year-old leader placed his nation’s largest conurbation as well as four neighboring provinces into a ‘modified enhanced community quarantine’ earlier this month following an unexpected rise in the number of coronavirus infections. The source detailed that this had encompassed the complete closure of large sections of the giant area’s economy including all cinemas, dine-in restaurants and gambling facilities.

Limited lifting:

However, Inside Asian Gaming reported that Duterte has now detailed that this strict lockdown is to be lowered to a ‘general community quarantine’ from Wednesday morning in keeping with new advice from the nation’s Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. The controversial president purportedly also explained that this revised restriction is now due to run until at least the end of the month and will see the region of well over 24 million inhabitants able to begin partially re-opening a range of businesses such as shopping centers, restaurants and barbershops but not gyms or Internet cafes.

Reportedly read a statement from Duterte…

“We want to ensure the safety of our people. However, some sectors, especially the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, are barely surviving.”

Casino closures:

Metropolitan Manila is home to four large integrated casino resorts in the Resorts World Manila, Solaire Resort and Casino, City of Dreams Manila and Okada Manila developments that have been shuttered since March 15 due to concerns over coronavirus. Although the easing of the lockdown will not allow these venues to re-open, Inside Asian Gaming reported that the move could well enable them to conduct ‘dry runs,’ which had been permitted during the latter stages of the region’s previous ‘general community quarantine.’