MANILA: The Philippines will impose tighter curbs in the capital region for the next two weeks, the acting presidential spokesperson said on Friday , to try to limit infections by the Omicron coronavirus variant that is spreading globally.
"In the coming days, we might see an increase in active cases," acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said in a televised announcement. Level 3 bans face-to-face classes, contact sports, funfairs and casinos. The government's coronavirus task force will also reduce the operating capacity for social events, tourist attractions, amusement parks, restaurant dine-in services, fitness studios, and personal care services.With roughly 2.84 million total confirmed cases and 51,504 casualties, the Philippines has the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Southeast Asia, after Indonesia.