Traffic jams and crowds of commuters returned to the Philippine capital today, as the metropolis relaxed antivirus measures in a high-stakes gamble to slowly reopen the economy while fighting the coronavirus outbreak. Public transport was still limited by the relaxed rules and many commuters waited for hours to get a ride despite the government's deployment of buses. He warned that police will still go after violators who would not wear face masks and observe physical distancing. Barber shops and beauty salons can open next week at a third of their capacity. The Philippines remains a Southeast Asian hot spot for the virus, with more than 18,000 infections and 957 deaths.-AP

Source: The Standard June 01, 2020 06:33 UTC