Philippines back under lockdown amid coronavirus cases surge

The Philippines reinstated a lockdown in and around capital Manila on Tuesday, after it reported 6,352 new coronavirus infections, marking the biggest daily jump in cases in Southeast Asia and after posting a record rise in five of the past six days.

In a bulletin, the ministry said total confirmed cases had increased to 112,593, while deaths rose by 11 to 2,115.

President Rodrigo Duterte agreed to reinstate the lockdown after medical groups warned the healthcare system was being overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients. 

More than 27 million people in Manila and nearby provinces will be put under another lockdown for two weeks, just after restrictions were relaxed in June. With only 24 hours' notice of the shutdown, many found themselves stranded in the capital and unable to get back to their hometowns.

Officials deployed dozens of shuttle buses, along with army trucks, to ferry stranded medical personnel and workers of authorized businesses. Most domestic flights to and from the capital were cancelled, and night curfews will return in places.

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