Metro Manila Mayors: Minors Still Not Allowed to Enter Malls
Photo Credit: Ted ALJIBE / AFP
The Metro Manila Council has unanimously agreed to continue prohibiting minors from going to malls.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority General Manager Jojo Garcia said the mayors made the decision after receiving the recommendations of the Philippine Pediatric Society and the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines. The said organizations recommended that those 17 years old and below be prohibited from entering commercial establishments and other outdoor areas.
“Because of having a high immune system, pediatrics experts said, minors who are infected with COVID-19 are usually asymptomatic carriers of the virus. They might be transmitting the virus unknowingly, especially to those vulnerable,” said Garcia.
He however added that essential activities done inside the malls, such as medical and dental check-ups, are allowed for all ages as long as minimum health protocols, such as wearing of face masks and face shields and physical distancing, are strictly observed.
Garcia said Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año supported the decision.
The MMC, composed of the 17 mayors of Metro Manila, is the governing and policy-making body of the MMDA.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority General Manager Jojo Garcia said the mayors made the decision after receiving the recommendations of the Philippine Pediatric Society and the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines. The said organizations recommended that those 17 years old and below be prohibited from entering commercial establishments and other outdoor areas.
“Because of having a high immune system, pediatrics experts said, minors who are infected with COVID-19 are usually asymptomatic carriers of the virus. They might be transmitting the virus unknowingly, especially to those vulnerable,” said Garcia.
He however added that essential activities done inside the malls, such as medical and dental check-ups, are allowed for all ages as long as minimum health protocols, such as wearing of face masks and face shields and physical distancing, are strictly observed.
Garcia said Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año supported the decision.
The MMC, composed of the 17 mayors of Metro Manila, is the governing and policy-making body of the MMDA.
