Manila Tightens Covid Rules, Now Even 18‑Year‑olds Must Stay Home
Starting Wednesday, March 17, the Philippine capital will extend its coronavirus curfew to everyone under 18. Anyone aged 18 to 65 can finally step out again.
Why the sudden shift?
After a wave of 5,404 new cases on Monday, the authorities decided that keeping youths indoors was the best move. The city is a bustling hub of over 12 million residents, so the risk isn’t just a handful of pockets.
Other changes coming into play
- Nighttime curfews will stay in effect for two weeks.
- Liquor bans remain active.
- Local lockdowns will be triggered if certain districts see a spike.
The new age limit came five months after the city once opened the gates for 15‑to‑65‑year‑olds. That reopening was part of a push to revive an economy that hit a record low last year.
Vaccination updates
Health chief Carlito Galvez highlighted that the vaccination effort is still moving at a snail’s pace, but promises a boost in May.
By early April, almost 2.4 million doses are slated to land: 979,200 AstraZeneca through COVAX and 1.4 million Sinovac shots—of which 400,000 were donated by China. He reinforced that he intends to keep using the AstraZeneca for healthcare workers, even though European nations are putting a pause on it.
The government also inked a contract with Scotland’s Serum Institute for 30 million Novavax doses, expected in the third or fourth quarter.
While the restrictions are tough, the Manila authorities hope to curb the spread and keep the streets clear for the next chapter of recovery.
