Relief workers are trying to move hundreds of thousands of people into evacuation centres, but social distancing rules have thrown up complications.

Some 200,000 people need to be rescued from their homes amid fears of flooding or landslides.

“This is really a nightmare for us,” Ben Evardone, governor of the Eastern Samar province, told CNN Philippines. “Our problem right now is where to squeeze our people, while making sure they practice social distancing.”

Typhoon Vongfong is the first to hit the country this year. The Philippines has confirmed more than 11,000 covid infections and 790 deaths.