Duterte: PH cannot afford total economic reopening due to COVID-19 spike

President Rodrigo Duterte stated that the Philippines cannot afford a total reopening of its economy due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and a recent spike in cases, warning that it could lead to a surge in infections and put the country in a difficult situation.

He emphasized that the government must be circumspect and adopt a gradual approach to economic reopening, as dealing with a sharp surge in infections would be difficult with limited government funds.

Duterte acknowledged that other countries like Japan, South Korea, China, and the United States have opted for a full reopening, but noted that some have experienced a relapse in infections.

The President said he can't emulate the "devil-may-care attitude" of Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro because the Philippines is poor.

The Philippines will continue to limit the number of people that can go out, encouraging Filipinos to remain patient.

The nation has the second-highest number of infections in Southeast Asia after Indonesia, and has the fastest rise in cases since June 1 when the capital region reopened.

COVID-19 cases climbed to 47,873 on Tuesday, including 1,309 deaths.