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Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Coronavirus: Philippines quarantines island of 57 million people

President Rodrigo Duterte has put the entire Philippine island of Luzon under an "enhanced community quarantine" until April 12,2020 to stop the spread of coronavirus infections.

In a televised public address on Monday March 16,2020, Duterte said public movement would be restricted to only buying food, medicine and other essential items necessary for survival.

"Only establishments that provide services like food and medicine shall be open," said Duterte.

The president instructed the labour and social welfare departments to implement measures that would alleviate the burden of the lockdown on small business and wage workers. He also urged businesses to release the mandatory 13th-month pay to their employees.

According to the health department's latest figures, there are 142 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines and 12 deaths.

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