Metro Manila will remain under a general community quarantine this November as coronavirus infections continue to rise amid a gradual reopening of the Philippine economy.

In a televised address on Tuesday, President Rodrigo R. Duterte said Batangas, Iloilo City, Bacolod City, Tacloban City, Iligan City will also be kept under a general lockdown, while Lanao del Sur will move to a general lockdown from a strict quarantine.

The new quarantine levels may be appealed by local governments until Oct. 28.

Mr. Duterte locked down the entire Luzon island in mid-March, suspending work, classes and public transportation to contain the pandemic. People should stay home except to buy food and other basic goods, he said.

The enhanced community quarantine forced most businesses to halt operations, leading to increased joblessness.

The economy has gradually been reopened in the past months as the lockdown in most areas were eased.

The Department of health (DoH) reported 1,607 coronavirus infections on Monday, bringing the total to 371,630.

The death toll rose to 7,039 after 62 more patients died, while recoveries increased by 245 to 328,258, it said in a bulletin.

There were 36,333 active cases, 82.6% of which were mild, 10.9% did not show symptoms, 4.1% were critical and 2.3% were severe. — Gillian M. Cortez

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR