Philippines: Anyone who leaves their home unvaccinated will be arrested

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has called for the arrest of unvaccinated citizens who do not comply with their obligation to stay at home.

The strictest measures that have been imposed in the country are aimed at stopping the eruption of the cases associated with the Omicron variant. The Philippine government has stepped up restrictions in the capital, Manila, and other areas this week, after tripling the number of cases over the past two days.

In this context, the unvaccinated residents must stay at home during the new measures, which will remain in force until mid-January and will only be able to go out to buy basic necessities or exercise. .

"In the face of the national emergency (…) I order them (local authorities) to look for the unvaccinated and ask them not to move. "And if they refuse, if they leave their homes (…) then the authorities will be able to arrest the uncooperatives," President Duterte said in a recorded message.

Over 70% of those vaccinated in Manila

About 70% of the population in the Manila metropolitan area, home to more than 13 million people, has been fully vaccinated, but less than half the population as a whole, according to government figures.

Duterte said he was "dumbfounded" by the significant number of Filipinos who have not yet been vaccinated. Daily coronavirus cases in the Philippines have hit a record high since September 26, with 17.220 cases today, according to the country's Ministry of Health.

The Ministry of Health has put the entire country of 109 million people at "high risk" following a rapid rise in cases in recent days, Maria Rosario Vergeire, a Health Authority official, told CNN Philippines.