Taal Volcano: Thousands evacuated after volcano in Philippines blasted plume of steam and ash into sky

A plume of steam and ash is seen from Taal Volcano, Batangas province, Philippines on Thursday.

Thousands have been evacuated from villages around a volcano near the Philippine capital. 
The Taal Volcano has blasted a dark gray plume into the sky. 

Authorities have raised the alert level, which means magma is near or at the surface of the volcano and a hazardous eruption is imminent. 

An eruption last year (2020) displaced hundreds of thousands of people and briefly closed Manila's international airport. 

Authorities said it's too early to know if the volcano's current unrest will lead to a full-blown eruption.

With evacuations underway officials are facing another problem.  They have to make sure the emergency shelters do not become coronavirus hot spots.

Displaced villagers have to wear masks.  They are also sheltered in tents set safely apart.

Most evacuation camps have set up isolation areas for those who display Covid-19 sypmptoms.