Soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) wearing face masks are seen at a checkpoint during the Metro Manila "community quarantine" in Valenzuela City, the Philippines on March 15, 2020. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)
The one-month curfew will be imposed from March 15 to April 14 as the total number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines jumps to 111.
MANILA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- A curfew is going to be imposed in Metro Manila of the Philippines from Sunday in a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Saturday.
The curfew will be imposed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., starting March 15 until April 14, it was disclosed.
The Philippines on Saturday reported an additional 13 COVID-19 cases in the country, bringing the total number of the confirmed cases to 111, including eight deaths.
"To limit the spread of the virus we need to limit also the movement of the people," Bong Nebrija of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority told a news conference.
The curfew was unanimously approved by the Metro Manila city and town officials.
People wearing face mask are seen inside a provincial bus as they try to move out before the community quarantine of Metro Manila in Quezon City, the Philippines, March 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)
Nebrija said those people who are working or doing "essential" works will be allowed outside during the curfew hours. These people include working people, medical workers, and people who are working in supermarkets, groceries and the like.
The officials said they will also ask malls to temporarily close. However, supermarkets or groceries, banks and pharmacies will remain open.
The curfew is part of the lockdown that the government will impose on Monday to fight the virus. The Philippines placed Metro Manila, home to nearly 13 million people, under community quarantine in a bid to halt the spread of the COVID-19.
Under the restriction, land, domestic air and sea travel to and from Metro Manila will be banned with exemptions, mass gatherings will be prohibited. ■
