Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 6) — The Philippines ranking in Nikkei Asias COVID-19 Recovery Index significantly improved in May, signaling that the country is moving closer to recovery.

The Philippines was ranked 33rd among 121 nations. It is among the two Asian nations that logged the best performances in terms of infection management, vaccine rollouts, and social mobility.

In December 2021, the country ranked 57th. Two months before, it placed last with a score of 30.5 due to low vaccination rate and lockdowns.

The Tokyo-based financial magazine on June 3 said the Philippines managed to ease restrictions while keeping the number of infections low. The countrs ranking vastly climbed due to the decline of daily coronavirus infections and COVID-related deaths, easing of requirements for inbound travelers, and the return of most businesses to normal operations.

Last week, the Department of Health said the country remains at low-risk classification for COVID-19 despite 70% of provinces, cities and municipalities nationwide showing an increase in cases.