Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Wednesday Metro Manila mayors have no final decision yet if the minors would be allowed to visits malls as the capital region remained under general community quarantine.
In an interview on Unang Balita, Año said the mayors are still discussing the matter. He added the mayors would still discuss the issue with the Philippine Pediatric Society and other health experts before making a decision.
“Noong Sunday nga lumabas ‘yung proposal nila. Ang sabi natin, gawin ninyo ang inyong resolution at ordinansa kasi ang mga LGU talaga ang mayroong responsibilidad diyan. Sa ngayon nagsasagawa pa sila ng pulong dahil hati kasi ang mayors ng Metro Manila at kailangan isa lang ang stand nila,” Año said.
“Ang update natin makikipag-meeting pa sila sa Philippine Pediatric Society para magkaroon sila ng discussion. Based doon sa kanilang consensus, ang sabi nila hindi pa sila handa dahil Christmas, puwede ‘yang ‘di matuloy. At kung sabihin naman nila na pupuwede ganitong edad, papayagan natin, accompanied by guardians or parents, we can adopt it,” he added.
Local government units still need to issue ordinances allowing minors inside malls amid the pandemic, Joint Task Force COVID Shield chief clarified on Tuesday.
No final decision yet on allowing minors in malls in NCR – Año
On Monday night, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said minors could visit malls as longs as they are with their parents.
“Para na rin po sa kapaskuhan ay dun sa ipinag-utos natin na pwede ng gradual expansion ng age group para makalabas, ang mga minors, basta accompanied ng mga magulang ay papayagang makalabas at makapunta sa malls,” Año said.
“Ito ay pagtitibayin sa mga ordinansa ng ating mga mayors dun sa lugar ng GCQ,” he added.
JTF COVID Shield is still clarifying if that aged 65-years-old and above would also be allowed to go out.
Aside from Metro Manila, Batangas, Iloilo City, Tacloban City, Lanao del Sur, Iligan, and Davao City were also placed under GCQ.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country is still under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).
As of December 1, the Department of Health recorded 1,298 new cases of COVID-19. Meanwhile, 135 recovered, and 27 died.