Manila’s casinos will reach five full months of closure after Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte extended General Community Quarantine across the National Capital Region for another two weeks until 15 August.
There have also been warnings that, rather than easing in the near future, quarantine restrictions may instead be tightened as the country struggles to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of 31 July 2020, the Philippines had recorded a total of 93,354 coronavirus cases with the situation only getting worse – Friday saw the Philippines record a new single day record with 4,063 positive cases announced.
The Duterte government has also promised to implement strict localized lockdowns in certain parts of Manila, including more stringent policing of minimum health standards. Those standards include social distancing, face mask-wearing and washing of hands alongside massive targeted testing, intensified contact tracing, quarantine of close contacts and isolation of confirmed cases, the Philippine News Agency reports.
It also suggests there is no end in sight for Manila’s hurting casino and gaming operators, who were first order to shut their doors on 15 March – coming up to a full five months ago.
“You just have to be patient for now,” said Presidential spokesman Harry Roque of Manila’s plight.