Manila Prepares For Partial Reopening – Even With COVID-19 On The Rampage

Earlier today the Philippines resumed public transportation and domestic flight services across Manila and in other areas with more than 63,000 public utility vehicles now expected to take to roads in and around the capital according to sources in the city.

MRT and light rail services will also resume services albeit with adjusted services and with social distancing measures in place.

The moves back in the direction of ‘normal service resumed’ are raising questions, however, in a populace hit hard by the coronavirus, albeit not enough to put a halt to 3,662 public buses, 20,493 taxis and 23,776 transport network vehicle service units taking to the streets.

173,774 Filipinos have so far contracted the virus with 2,775 succumbing to their symptoms, and increasing numbers of Filipino’s being discovered entering other nations around the region whilst carrying the virus.

Currently ranking 22nd in the world in the number of total cases, the Philippines is also the worst affected country in east Asia.

Returning to a norm of sorts too, beauty salons, barber shops and restaurants are also being allowed to open their doors once more – again with social distancing and precautionary measures in place.

And, in a predominantly Catholic nation, churches in Archdiocese of Manila will also start welcoming back worshipers at a rate of 10% of capacity. Those entering will be required to wear face masks and will have temperatures checked.

Mark Buckton

Mark is a journalism vet of 20 years with most of those years spent in Tokyo, Japan, as a columnist for The Japan Times and numerous other publications. His work has appeared on CNN, in the BBC, NPR, and in several dozen other media forms and publications across five continents.