Manila lockdown cripples businesses big and small

President Duterte considering further drastic measures to control virus

The foodcourt inside a mall in Quezon City on the first day of Metro Manila's lockdown, March 15, 2020, due to the surge of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines. (Photo by Kimberly Dela Cruz)

CLIFF VENZON, Nikkei staff writer

March 16, 2020 19:17 JST

MANILA -- Drastic quarantine measures imposed on the Philippine capital Manila left many of the city's busiest shopping centers virtually empty over the weekend, dealing a major blow to the country's $330 billion economy.