Traffic jams return to Manila as restrictions ease

Traffic jams and crowds of commuters are back in the Philippine capital, which shifted to a more relaxed quarantine in a high-stakes gamble to slowly reopen the economy while fighting the coronavirus outbreak. Commuter trains, taxis, ride-sharing cars, special shuttle buses and motorcycles rumbled back on the road in metropolitan Manila but were only allowed to carry a fraction of their capacity as a safeguard. Public transport was still limited by the relaxed rules and many commuters waited for hours to get a ride despite the government's deployment of buses.

"There are no available rides and the Metro Rail Transit (train) will only accommodate a few passengers so I just walked so that I can get home," said house painter Krik Palseso while on his commute.

A larger swarm of private cars also helped choke roads. With the reduced service comes unemployment for some jeepney (bus) drivers, who were seen on the road sides with signs asking for donations. School classes remain suspended for the next two weeks. Barber shops and beauty salons can open next week at a third of their capacity. As of Sunday the Philippines had reported more than 18,000 coronavirus infections and 957 deaths linked to COVID-19.