BY GENALYN KABILING
After months of staying at home due to government’s strict health protocols, minors will now be allowed to go to shopping malls and eat in restaurants as long as they are accompanied by their parents, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said Monday.
Año announced the government intends to ease the age-based stay-at-home restriction during a meeting with President Duterte and other Cabinet members, who are also part of the pandemic task force.
The concerned local government units are expected to issue the relevant ordinances on the matter.
“Para na rin po sa Kapaskuhan ay doon po sa pinag-utos natin na puwede ng gradual expansion ng mga age group para makalabas. Ang mga minors po, basta accompanied ng mga magulang, ay papayagang makalabas at makapunta sa mall,” Año said in his remarks aired on state television.
“Ito po ay pagtitibayin sa mga ordinansa ng ating mga NCR (National Capital Region) mayors sa lugar po ng GCQ,” he said.
Prior to the DILG Secretary’s remarks, President Duterte decided to extend the implementation of General Community Quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila for the month of December.
Seven other places have been placed under GCQ from Dec. 1 to 31. All other places in the country will be under the most relaxed Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).
The mayors also reportedly agreed to allow children under 15 years old to dine in restaurants with their parents.
Under the present IATF guidelines in GCQ areas, a person below 15 years old and those above 65 years old, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women are required to remain in their residences at all times, except when obtaining essential goods and services. (Genalyn Kabiling)
