UPDATE 1-Philippines 30cm distancing rule seen as 'reckless'; deaths hit record

* Philippines virus infections double in past 35 days
* Country sees record in newly confirmed deaths
* Minimum gap on transport cut to 30cm by Oct. 12
* Health experts say could slow recovery

By Karen Lema
MANILA, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Experts described as dangerous
and premature on Monday the Philippines' decision to cut the
social distancing minimum to 30 centimetres (12 inches) on
public transport, as the country saw another daily record in
newly confirmed COVID-19 deaths.
Reducing gaps between passengers incrementally to a third of
the 1 metre minimum could backfire, experts and medical
professionals warned, and prolong a first wave of infections
that the Philippines has been battling since March.
The new rules took effect on Monday, when the country
reported 259 new confirmed deaths, a record for the second time
in three days. Total fatalities increased to 4,630, while
infections have doubled in the past 35 days to 265,888,
Southeast Asia's highest number.
"This will be risky, reckless and counter-intuitive and will
delay the flattening of the curve," Anthony Leachon,
ex-president of the Philippine College of Physicians, told news
channel ANC.
"Even if you wear a face shield and mask, reducing the
distance between, it will be dangerous," he said, adding that 1
or 2 metres was the minimum international standard.
The transport ministry's new rules cut the distance to 75cm
on Monday, 50cm on Sept. 28 and 30cm on Oct. 12. Conversation
and phone calls are now prohibited.
The health ministry on Monday urged the public to be "extra
vigilant" in tight travel conditions and to choose other
transport modes if possible.
Manila's transport systems are notoriously crowded, with
commutes typically involving long queues and several changes.
"It is likely that we will see an increase in cases and our
recovery will slow if we do this now," said epidemiologist
Antonio Dans.
Dans is a member of a health professionals alliance that
last month pleaded for a tightening of Manila's lockdown - a
"timeout" to stop hospitals being overrun. It urged a rethink of
the 30cm rule.
The plan aims to help an economy that the government sees
contracting 5.5% this year, the worst shrinkage in 35 years.
"Reopening the economy will never happen unless the viral
transmission is controlled," added Leachon, a former advisor to
the government's COVID-19 task force.