The Philippine Department of Transportation announced on March 17 that it will close all airports on Luzon island, starting from March 20.

Illustrative image (Photo: AFP)

Passengers planning to fly abroad from airports on Luzon will be allowed to travel for a period of 72 hours from the effectivity of the enhanced community quarantine on March 17 night.

A day earlier, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte asked all citizens on Luzon, including capital Manila, to stay at home for 30 days, amid the rising number of COVID-19 infection cases in the country.

On March 17, the Philippines confirmed 45 more infection cases, bringing the total number to 187.

Source: VNA