Malacañang defended the government's decision to allow minors to visit malls amid the continuous COVID-19 threat in the country.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said local government units are ordered to issue ordinances to ensure that children would not be “super-spreaders” of the virus.
“Kaya nga po ang isang basic requirement [ay] dapat kasama nila ang kanilang mga magulang,” Roque said at a news conference.
Last 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.
Roque said the government had imposed strict measures to limit the movement of people that affected many businesses.
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“It's really to invite families to visit the malls again dahil ngayon po talaga maski tayo nagluwag na, maluluwag po talaga ang mga malls. Talagang hindi po lumalabas pa rin ang ating mga kababayan,” he said.
“Tayo talaga ‘yung naging super restrictive pagdating sa movement, kaya po binubuksan na po,” Roque added.