Philippine President Marcos Jr Contracts Coronavirus for 2nd Time

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr tested positive for coronavirus for the second time, his spokeswoman announced on Friday.

The positive test came two days after the president had a face-to-face meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Manila.

Marcos Jr, who was sworn into office on June 30, has cancelled in-person meetings as he recovers from a "slight fever", Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles told reporters.

Neither Marcos Jr nor Wang wore masks during their sit-down on Wednesday, photos showed.

Meanwhile, Wang is in Bali for the G20 gathering. His delegation has been informed of Marcos Jr's COVID-19 test result, according to the Chinese embassy in Manila.

Cruz-Angeles advised anyone who had been in close contact with Marcos Jr to monitor for symptoms and undergo testing if needed.

"The president will be isolated for seven days from the time that he tested positive," and will be allowed to work after that if his symptoms are gone, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

It is the second time Marcos Jr has tested positive for the coronavirus.

Earlier this year, the Philippines banned unvaccinated inpiduals from public transport in the capital to restrict their movement as Covid-19 infections surge.

The measure followed President Rodrigo Duterte’s order amid the spread of the new Omicron variant.

Commuters are required to show proof of vaccination before riding buses, jeepneys, trains and other public transport in Metro Manila, the transportation department revealed.

The “no vaccination, no ride” policy will be in effect while the capital is under Alert Level 3, the third-highest on a five-step scale.

The Philippines has intensified curbs on the unvaccinated as daily Covid-19 cases hit record highs in the past days, filling up hospitals in the capital.