Manila: As a gesture of faith and gratitude, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has accepted Russia’s offer to take the first shot of its world's first COVID-19 vaccine, which is scheduled to be launched between August 10 to August 12.
“When the Russian vaccine arrives, I will have myself injected in public,” Duterte, who considers President Putin as his idol, said in Monday briefing.
"The Philippines is ready to assist Moscow in clinical trials and local production," he added.
Russia is all set to allow the world's first COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute for civilian use even before clinical trials are completed, with mass vaccinations planned as early as October. It has triggered safety warnings from pharmaceutical companies.
Read | Russia to register first COVID-19 vaccine
Philippines' Duterte agreed to reinstate the lockdown after medical groups warned the health care system was being overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients. Health officials reported a record-high daily tally of 6,958 new infections on Monday, bringing the country’s total to more than 136,638, including 2,294 deaths.
The lockdown is milder than was the first one imposed, which largely confined most people to their homes for months, but is more severe than the quarantine restrictions the capital had been under recently. It is being imposed in metropolitan Manila and outlying provinces for two weeks.
Businesses previously allowed to partly reopen, including barbershops, gyms, dine-in restaurants and tourist destinations, will again be closed. Authorized companies including banks, health and food processing firms must shuttle their employees between home and work. Travelling by bike, motorcycle and the private car is allowed for essential reasons, but mass transit will be closed.
