Manila students at graduation with help of robots

More than 170 students at a school in Manila were able to attend their graduation ceremony remotely from home on Friday with the help of robots.

The robotics team of the Senator Renato Cayetano Memorial Science and Technology High School suggested assembling a robot that could represent each of the 179 students for a cyber graduation.

"We know as a former student that education and graduation is something that will be part of your life," school principal Dr George Tizon said.

"It's a very momentous event that you won't want to miss and we would like to make sure that our students will not miss it despite the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.

School graduation ceremonies have been cancelled in Manila due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Only metropolitan Manila and two other high-risk areas remain under a strict lockdown, but manufacturing plants were allowed to reopen with half of their workforce until May 31.

Essential businesses have reopened but fitness gyms, barber shops, cinemas and other recreational places remain closed.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

But the virus is highly contagious and can be spread by those with mild or no visible symptoms.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could lead to death.