UPDATE 1 -Philippines back under lockdown as virus cases continue to surge

(Adds quotes from business owners, presidential spokesman,
detail)
* New lockdown on Manila area affects about 28 mln people
* Coronavirus cases up six-fold since restrictions eased in
June
* Police set up checkpoints to enforce lockdown
* Economy can't withstand prolonged curbs-Presidential
spokesman

By Adrian Portugal
MANILA, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Philippine police deployed road
blocks on Tuesday to enforce a tough new lockdown on about 28
million people in the capital Manila and nearby provinces as the
Southeast Asian country reported the region's biggest daily rise
in coronavirus cases.
The area, which accounts for most economic activity in the
country and a quarter of the population, has gone back into
lockdown for two weeks after restrictions were relaxed in June.
The eased restrictions, in an effort to revive the economy,
led to infections soaring more than six-fold to 112,593 and
deaths more than doubling to roughly 2,100, piling pressure on a
beleaguered healthcare sector.
The health ministry on Tuesday reported 6,352 new cases,
marking the biggest daily jump in infections in Southeast Asia
and after posting a record rise in five of the past six days.
In a new blow for the economy, authorities have suspended
public transport and made restaurants dine-in, while barbershops
and salons have closed, hitting livelihoods.
"There's really nothing we can do but follow the measures
given by the government," said Cipriano Quirante, 57, a
dispatcher at a taxi firm.
Restaurant manager Charlito Imperial said usually there were
long lines at his premises but by midday he had had only three
take-away customers.
Police ringed urban areas with roadblocks and checkpoints to
restrict movement, with only one member of every household
allowed to go out to buy food and essentials.
President Rodrigo Duterte late on Sunday announced the new
lockdown, marking a return to the strict quarantine measures in
force from mid-March to May. But the presidential palace on Tuesday warned the new
restrictions could not be prolonged.
"The economy can no longer bear a longer lockdown," Harry
Roque, Duterte's spokesman, told a news briefing. "Our message
to the people is to take care of your health so you can still
make a living."

(Writing by Neil Jerome Morales
Editing by Ed Davies)