The Philippines will reimpose stricter quarantine measures in the capital Manila and nearby provinces starting Monday as the country continues to experience a surge in COVID-19 cases.
In a press briefing on Saturday, March 27, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the measures would take effect from March 29 to April 4.
When asked if limited religious gatherings during the observance of the Holy Week will be implemented, the palace official said the will be “no religious gatherings during Holy Week.”
The Department of Health reported 9,595 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, March 27, marking the second straight day the daily jump in infections remained above 9,000.
The Philippines now has 118,122 active COVID-19 cases, or patients who are currently sick, the most since the pandemic began.
The total confirmed caseload in the country is already at 712,442.
The number of new cases posted in March 2021 alone already surpassed the highest monthly infections tally set in August. The new COVID-19 cases in that period peaked at 127,465.
There are now at least 136,090 new cases recorded since March 1, 2021, with still four days to go in this month.
The Health department also reported 10 new deaths due to COVID-19, bringing the death toll to 13,159 while recoveries are up by 481, raising the total to 581,161.
The “Enhanced Community Quarantine” means that only those considered as “authorized persons outside of residence” or APORs can travel into and out of the quarantine areas.
Other restrictions include a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and no indoor dining in restaurants.
President Rodrigo Duterte placed the main island of Luzon under ECQ from mid-March to mid-May last year, ordering non-essential workers to stay at home to slow the spread of the virus.
The government began easing restrictions in Luzon on June 1, permitting more movement and the reopening of businesses.
