Duterte eyes stricter restrictions over Delta variant

President Rodrigo Duterte is considering stricter health measures in response to the reported local transmission of the more aggressive and fatal Delta variant of COVID-19.

The DOH has confirmed 35 cases of the Delta variant, including 11 local cases, leading Duterte to warn of potential reimposition of stricter restrictions to prevent mass gatherings and super spreader events.

Duterte cited the spike in cases in neighboring countries like Indonesia as a cause for concern and urged the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to enforce existing measures with greater urgency.