2 barangays, 2 hotels in Malate under localized lockdown

Two barangays, Barangay 351 and Barangay 725, along with two hotels, Malate Bayview Mansion and Hop Inn Hotel, in Malate, were placed under a four-day localized lockdown starting March 11.

The lockdown was imposed on areas identified as "critical zones" with at least 10 COVID-19 infections, affecting Barangay 351 with 12 cases, Barangay 725 with 14 cases, Malate Bayview Mansion with 17 cases, and Hop Inn Hotel with 17 cases.

Mayor Francisco 'Isko Moreno' Domagoso stated that the city government will not hesitate to impose lockdowns on districts or areas if necessary, especially with the city's active COVID-19 cases rising to 1,206 as of noontime Thursday.

He assured that Manila has enough resources and facilities, including hospital bed capacity and quarantine facilities, to address the COVID-19 situation.

The lockdown aims to facilitate disease surveillance, extensive contact tracing, and risk assessment to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Residents affected by the lockdown will undergo swab testing, and only those with quarantine passes will be permitted to go out for necessities.