* Manila, nearby provinces under less strict curbs until
April 30
* Philippines hit by one of Asia's worst coronavirus
outbreaks
(Adds detail, background)
MANILA, April 11 (Reuters) - Strict COVID-19 lockdowns in
the Philippines capital and four adjacent provinces will be
eased from April 12, a spokesman for President Rodrigo Duterte
said on Sunday.
Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and
Cavite will be placed under a less restrictive community
quarantine status until April 30, spokesman Harry Roque told a
virtual briefing.
Roque gave the briefing from hospital where he is being
treated for COVID-19. He gave no details on which restrictions
will be eased but said details would be released on Monday.
The Philippines is battling one of the worst coronavirus
outbreaks in Asia, with hospitals in the capital overwhelmed
amid record daily infections, while authorities face delays in
delivery of COVID-19 vaccines.
On Sunday, the Department of Health recorded 11,681 new
COVID-19 cases and 201 more deaths, bringing the country's
tallies to 864,868 confirmed infections and 14,945 fatalities.
New cases have surge in recent weeks, surpassing 15,000 on
April 2, most of those in the congested capital.
Last week, Duterte cancelled a weekly televised address and
a meeting with his coronavirus task force as some of his staff
and security detail were found to be COVID-19 positive.
Roque and Duterte's defence minister, Delfin Lorenzana, also
tested positive.
Roque said the government will work to increase the number
of COVID-19 beds in healthcare facilities and free up more room
in hospitals.
Under the current quarantine classification for Manila and
surrounding areas, non-essential movement is banned, along with
mass gatherings and dining in restaurants, with
longer-than-usual curfews also in place since March 29.
The reimposition of strict lockdowns has raised concerns the
economy will take longer to recover from last year's worst slump
on record.