The government has reintroduced stricter movement curbs in Metro Manila and four nearby provinces for the next two weeks to rein in the country's runaway surge in COVID-19 infections.
Night-time curfew, ban on mass gatherings, non-essential travels and indoor dining in restaurants, are among the stricter quarantine rules in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal from March 22 to April 4, 2021.
The latest measures were announced by the Palace as the country recorded over 7,000 new cases Sunday, March 21, 2021. These COVID-19 related stories are leading Sunday's list of news.
- The government will tighten the quarantine rules in Metro Manila and nearby provinces but it refused to describe such action as a "hard lockdown." The local economy remains open despite the restrictions, according to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque.
- The COVID-19 case surge is showing no signs of slowing down.
- Amid the country's surging COVID-19 cases, more hospitals have reported reaching critical level of bed capacity.
- More Filipinos can be inoculated soon as the country can expect the arrival of more coronavirus vaccines this week.
- Granular lockdowns, efficient vaccine rollout, stimulus package are among the seven proposals made by Vice President Leni Robredo to help fight the COVID-19 spike. Will the President listen to her suggestions?
- It's time to heed the stay-at-home advice of health authorities, according to Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
- The government has apparently given up on implementing the contact tracing formula of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong. What will happen now?
- Tension between the Philippines and China has risen in the West Philippine Sea after over 200 Chinese militia vessels have been spotted in local waters.
The military has deployed air and sea patrols to validate the presence of Chinese vessels moored in line formation at the Julian Felipe Reef.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. would rather wait for the military's recommendation on whether or not to file a diplomatic protest over Chinese vessels sighted in local waters.
- Additional free Wi-Fi zones will be established in Visayas and Mindanao as part of the commitment of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Gregorio Honasan II.
- A beloved nun, who introduced the famous Good Shepherd ube jam, passed away this weekend.
- Expect hot weather to continue in most parts of the country.