Manila, June 1 (TIWN) Thousands of people returned to work and the public transport was back on the Manila roads on Monday as the government began relaxing the 78-day strict stay-at-home orders – the longest lockdown in the world – to restart the economy of the Philippines.

The government allowed the opening of more non-essential services even as the COVID-19 infection curve continues to rise across the country, reports Efe news.