Minors in Metro Manila would not be allowed to go out for two weeks starting March 17, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced on Tuesday.
Only individuals aged 18 to 65 years old are now allowed to go outside their residences.
The Metro Manila Council is drafting a resolution for stricter measures amid the increasing of COVID-19 cases daily.
Only “authorized persons outside residence” (APOR) and those with medical emergencies may leave the house during the curfew.
Others exempted from curfew:
1. Health workers coming in or out of work
2. Government workers entering or leaving work
3. Food services staff and delivery of essential goods
4. Funeral workers
In a separate interview with TeleRadyo, National Capital Region Police Office chief Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao said that they will enforce maximum tolerance in enforcing the curfew.
Minors in Metro Manila not allowed to go out for 2 weeks – MMDA
“We will exercise maximum tolerance pa rin para naman mapagbigyan kasi yung iba baka di nila alam na effective tonight we’ll be implementing a uniform curfew sa buong NCR. Ang ibang may katigasan ang ulo we will forewarn them pero may ibang di talaga siguro susunod baka yan ang mga huhulihin natin,” said Danao.
In December 2020, MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia announced that minors are still not allowed to go out in Metro Manila amid general community quarantine.
Garcia said the Metro Manila mayors agreed to still prohibit minors from going out. This means minors would not also be allowed inside malls.
“Unanimous po, 17-0, the mayors will not allow minors to go out,” Garcia said.
The OCTA Research Group believes that enforcing the curfew, liquor ban and other restrictions in Metro Manila and other areas will help in reducing COVID-19 cases.
Guido David, OCTA fellow, told TeleRadyo that the reproduction rate of the virus is expected to decrease slightly with the curfew that will begin this Monday night, in addition to localized lockdowns and ordinances.
OCTA is also in favor of enforcing a liquor ban and other policies that will prevent people from gathering.