Manila-
President Rodrigo Duterte has announced a month-long lockdown of the whole of Metro Manila as the Philippines looks to contain the spread of Covid-19, adding that he might call on China to help deal with the outbreak.
Land, domestic air, and domestic sea travel to and from the National Capital Region will be suspended from Sunday to April 14, while mass gatherings have also been banned, according to local media.
In a speech on Thursday night, Duterte also said Chinese President Xi Jinping had written a letter to him to offer assistance.
Manila is a city of thirteen million people and the financial hub of the Philippines.
International airports are open, however, foreigners going to provinces must fly in via Clark International airport.
All foreigners coming from countries with community spread of the Covid19 Coronavirus will not be permitted to enter the country. Exceptions will be made for those who have a spouse or family in the country
The government did not release an exact list of countries affected, stating that it could change daily which essentially means tourism to the country is ground to a halt.
The lockdown closes all schools and bans all gatherings at churches as well, which is unprecedented in the heavily religious country.
