Metro Manila mayors have voted unanimously to disallow individuals aged 17 years old and below to go to the malls following the recommendation of the Philippine Pediatrics Society and Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines to prohibit them from going to commercial establishments and other outdoor areas such as shopping malls.
At a virtual press conference, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Jose Arturo Garcia said that the mayors, through the Metro Manila Council (MMC), voted 17-0 not to allow minor “mallers” since they may be virus “carriers.”
“Because of having high immune system, pediatrics experts said that minors who are infected of Covid-19 are usually asymptomatic carriers of the virus. They might be transmitting the virus unknowingly, especially to those vulnerable,” Garcia said adding that persons aged 18 to 65 years old are the only ones allowed to go inside malls in Metro Manila.
This recommendation of the health experts was echoed by Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III who lauded the decision of the Metro Manila mayors.
“I think they should be commended for putting the health of the children first in not allowing those below 18 years old to go out in public places, especially during this Christmas season where as is there are already lots of adults who are going out, therefore, increasing contact, transmission and cases and possibly hospital admissions if not deaths,” Duque told the BusinessMirror.
Duque stressed, “So, the response ought to be more restrictive for children as they may be easily infected and in turn contaminate the elderly and vulnerable individuals at home.”
Essential activities
However, Garcia said that essential activities done inside the malls such as medical and dental checkups, buying of food, and medicines are allowed for all ages, including minors and senior citizens—as long as the minimum health protocols such as wearing of face mask and face shield and observance of physical distancing are complied with.
Minors are also allowed to do non-contact sports such as biking and jogging, subject to the interpretation of local government units (LGUs) through their respective existing ordinances.
Garcia also thanked Interior Secretary Eduardo Año for supporting the decision of Metro Manila mayors since the enforcement lies on the LGUs.
Further, Garcia reminded both the mall owners and the LGUs of their responsibility to ensure that no minors will be allowed to go inside their establishments and other outdoor areas.
Penalties also depend on the LGUs, he added.
The MMC, composed of 17 mayors of the Metro Manila, is the governing and policy-making body of the MMDA.