The Philippines imposed strict home quarantine measures and a halt on work and transport across its main island of Luzon, putting half of the population on lockdown in an aggressive bid to quell rising cases of coronavirus, reported Reuters.

The government would with immediate effect compel people to remain in their homes and reliant on deliveries of food and medical supplies, while transport and work would be suspended except for essential services, Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

“The president’s ultimate goal is to save ourselves from ourselves,” Panelo said in a television interview.

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