In an effort to revive the economy after months of battling the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año finally allows minors to enter the malls as long as they are accompanied by their parents.
“Para na rin po sa Kapaskuhan ay doon po sa pinag-utos natin na puwede ng gradual expansion ng age group para makalabas. Ang mga minors po, basta accompanied ng mga magulang, ay papayagang makapunta sa mall,” Año said during a televised meeting with the COVID-19 task force on Monday.
He also mandated the seventeen National Capital Region (NCR) mayors to come up with an ordinance that will go with this update.
While the quarantine restrictions are easing up, mass gatherings such as Christmas parties and Christmas carols remain prohibited as it can cause a spike in COVID-19 cases.
“Katulad po ng plano na hindi po papayagan ang Christmas party, hindi rin papayagan ang Christmas caroling, wala pong mass gathering. Iyon pong family reunion ay isang considered na mass gathering,” he reminded.
“Katulad po ng sabi ni [Health] Secretary [Francisco] Duque [III], immediate family na lang sana ang mag-celebrate ng Christmas together. At kailangan po ang minimum health standard ay ipatupad,” he added.
Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief, Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. believes that this move is premature.
“That is still not allowed under GCQ. [For now], we’ll be having a meeting with mall managers not to allow entry to non-APOR (Authorized Persons Outside Residence) because we expect an influx of people in malls and other places in convergence,” he said.
As of writing, the Department of Health has recorded 432,925 COVID-19 cases in the country, including 25,725 active cases and 8,418 fatalities.
