MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday (Apr 7) approved the extension of lockdown and home quarantine measures covering more than half of the population, a crisis panel official said, in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The Enhanced Community Quarantine was due to end next week but would be extended until Apr 30, Karlo Nograles, a cabinet secretary, told a regular news conference.



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Policies restricting movement and gatherings have been in place in and around the capital Manila since nearly a month ago, in response to confirmation of the first domestic transmission. The Philippines was among the first countries to adopt strict home quarantine measures.



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