Manila lockdown could stretch up to two months: Nomura

Nomura analysts have warned that Manila’s “modified enhanced community quarantine” could stretch well past the two-week extension as announced by President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday evening.  The lockdown, which has been in place since March 29, has had its stop date extended. Duterte said the MECQ would be extended until 14 May, however analysts don’t believe this will be enough time to get a handle on the explosion of covid-19 cases in the country.  The Philippines' Department of Health reported 8,929 new infections on Monday, bringing the total to 1,006,428, the second-highest in Asia after Indonesia.  (The Business Times)