70k Filipinos affected by COVID-19 lockdown in Italy

An estimated 70,000 Filipinos have been affected by the lockdown imposed over four regions in Italy after the country recorded a surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
According to GMA News stringer Pia Abucay's report on Balitanghali, over 6,000 people in Italy have tested positive for COVID-19. Six hundred twenty-two have recovered and 366 have died.
An estimated 60,000 Filipinos are in the Lombardy region.
The lockdown, which began on Sunday, confined a quarter of the Italian population of around 60 million. 
People are being barred from going in and leaving the red zone unless they are residents. Bars and restaurants remain open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Meanwhile, residents of areas that are under lockdown but outside the red zone are permitted to leave their homes to go to work or the supermarket.
Recreational establishments outside the red zone such as theaters, cinemas, discos, pubs, and bingo houses are closed.
The Philippine Embassy in Rome and the Consulate General in Milan have assured the Filipino community in Italy that they are closely coordinating with local authorities to monitor the situation. —Julia Mari Ornedo/NB, GMA News

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