MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippine capital, Manila, will extend the ban on minors leaving their homes to include youths under 18 for two weeks starting Wednesday, tightening restrictions on coronavirus in an attempt to combat a new one. outbreak of infections.
Only those aged 18 to 65 will be allowed to leave their homes, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said in a statement, citing an agreement between mayors.
The Philippines at the end of last year began easing one of the longest and most rigid roadblocks in the world, although the rule that anyone under the age of 15 must stay at home in Manila remained in effect.
The Southeast Asian country saw an increase in COVID-19 cases this month, registering the biggest daily increase since mid-August on Monday, with 5,404 new infections.
Night curfews have been reinstated since Monday for two weeks in metropolitan Manila, the country’s coronavirus hotspot that is home to more than 12 million people.
Additional measures, such as prohibition of alcoholic beverages and blockages located in areas with high rates of infection, have also been implemented.
The extended age limit comes five months after authorities allowed 15- to 65-year-olds to leave as part of efforts to revive an economy that suffered the worst recession on record last year.
Facing criticism about a slow vaccination campaign, coronavirus chief strategy officer Carlito Galvez said more doses should arrive soon.
Nearly 2.4 million doses are expected by early April, comprising 979,200 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine through COVAX facilities and 1.4 million injections of Sinovac, including 400,000 donated by China, he said.
Galvez said there is no plan to stop using the AstraZeneca vaccine to inoculate healthcare professionals, although several European countries have stopped its administration after reports of possible serious side effects.
The government also signed an agreement with the Serum Institute of India for 30 million doses of the Novavax vaccine, which is expected to arrive in the third or fourth quarter of the year, Galvez said.
(Reporting by Enrico Dela Cruz and Karen Lema; Editing by Ed Davies)