MANILA — The Philippines has decided to extend the lockdown for a month in the capital and for another two weeks in other provinces after the total number of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases has reached more than one million.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte announced in his weekly televised speech that restrictions imposed in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite and Laguna will remain in effect until May 14.

In a pre-recorded briefing, Duterte said Santiago City in Quirino province and Abra province will also be under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), starting May 1.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, in a separate statement, clarified these two areas will be under MECQ “for the whole month of May 2021.”

On Wednesday, the Philippine Ministry of Health announced 6,895 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of viral infections in the country to 1,204,095 cases, as deaths jumped to 17,031 after recording 115 new deaths. — Agencies