Mr. Duterte issued the order after Metro Manila mayors agreed to pass ordinances requiring unvaccinated residents to stay home unless going out for essential goods and services or reporting for work. Barangay officials could arrest those who refuse to follow their orders, Mr. Duterte said. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez assured the country’s largest business group that the government would not implement hard lockdowns, but instead restrict the movement of the unvaccinated. “We are happy that the government is no longer imposing hard lockdowns as a safeguard measure against increasing Omicron cases. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana denied rumors circulating on social media that Mr. Duterte would impose martial law to contain the latest surge in COVID-19 cases in the country.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer January 08, 2022 03:41 UTC