Thousands of people flocked to Metro Manila and nearby vaccination sites to get vaccinated against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), ahead of the government’s order of tighter lockdown to prevent the spread of the new Covid-19 Delta variant.

As to what the situation draws Thursday, August 5, the City of Manila and other places have become an instant sea of people where thousands of residents line up to get vaccinated a day before the National Capital Region (NCR) will reimpose a two-week lockdown starting from August 6 to 20.

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the country, Filipinos who were a year hesitant to get vaccinated are now willing to be inoculated against the COVID-19, according to the recent survey released by Pulse Asia dated July 12.

Metro Manila malls, which became vaccination sites, have witnessed the alarming number of people in a rush early Thursday despite the threat of the more transmissible Delta variant outside.

Three vaccination sites in Metro Manila were no longer accepting vaccinees as they have already reached the maximum number of applicants. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso even has postponed his oath-taking with Aksyon Demokratiko to address the chaos that is happening in his city.

At SM Manila, the line up has already reached Ayala Bridge after its mall has reached over 5,000 vaccinees which are far from what the authorities have expected.

TINGNAN: Libu-libo ang nakapila ngayon sa SM Manila para magpabakuna laban sa #COVID19.

2500 slots lang ang naka-allot dito at nag cutoff na dahil sa dami ng tao. | via @JervisManahan #COVID19VaccinePH pic.twitter.com/faO4x2lOyX

— DZMM TeleRadyo (@DZMMTeleRadyo) August 4, 2021

Local officials have canceled the vaccination due to the continuous swelling of crowds and reached more than 10,000 at SM San Lazaro, over 4,000 at Robinsons Manila and 3,000 at Lucky Chinatown, the Manila PIO wrote in a post.

Residents from Cavite, Bulacan, Laguna, and Rizal have traveled to get their shots.

Also, in Las Piñas, people are running toward the nearest vaccination hospital on J. Aguilar Avenue to avail themselves of the vaccine.

JUST IN: The Las Piñas City gov’t has stopped vaccinations for Thursday, August 5 at the jab sites in SM Southmall & Las Piñas Doctors Hospital, said city spox Paul San Miguel.

The sites saw hundreds lined up overnight & people running inside hoping to get shot slots. pic.twitter.com/Ht5A67Qtov

— Anjo Bagaoisan (@anjo_bagaoisan) August 5, 2021

Meanwhile, in Antipolo City, vaccines are also hoping to receive the shot before another will.

TINGNAN: Haba ng pila sa vaccination site sa isang mall sa Antipolo, Rizal nitong Huwebes ng umaga.

Kita sa video na ito ni Bayan Patroller Averie Ann Rodriguez na sa labas pa lang ng mall ay puno na ng mga tao na nais magpabakuna kontra #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/p2CYGqahPI

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) August 5, 2021

These incidents happened after rumors have circulated that people can no longer go out if they’re not vaccinated and cannot get cash aid from the government. However, these rumors have quickly been addressed by the government.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the government’s cash assistance is ready to be given to 10.7 million residents in the affected areas of lockdown, totaling PHP 13.1 billion and the amount to be given will not exceed PHP 4,000 per family.

Duterte during his public address dated July 29 said police will escort those people seen outside back to their respective homes. The president didn’t clarify how those unvaccinated would be identified.

Photo Credit: https://twitter.com/DZMMTeleRadyo and @JervisManahan