Duterte confirms lockdown extension in Metro Manila

Quarantine measures will remain in place for at least another two weeks but the government is keen to restart its economy.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has confirmed an extension to the lockdown in Metro Manila, which will continue to impact the country’s gaming venues.

The Philippines government echoed his announcement on Tuesday and will extend the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) measures in Metro Manila and other high risk areas for another two weeks until May 31.

However, ECQ measures will be altered as the country attempts to recover its economy which has been hit hard as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Presidential Spokesperson, Harry Roque said: “It is not ECQ as we know it. It is not GCQ (general community quarantine) as we know it.

“It’s somewhere in between. It is a transition phase [that] we envision that after one month, we will all transition to GCQ.”

Earlier this week, Okada Manila, one of the capital’s biggest casinos, announced it supported any extension to the lockdown.