Metro Manila mayors to clarify rules on allowing kids outdoors

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila mayors will soon release a resolution to establish clear guidelines on the government’s decision to allow minors outdoors, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora said yesterday.

Zamora, who earlier said he wants to maintain the age bracket allowed outdoors to those 18 to 65 years old, said the Metro Manila Council would be releasing the guidelines, which include the prohibition of 17-year-olds and below from heading to malls.

“So, where are kids allowed? They can go to outdoor areas to exercise. Should they need to buy food or medicine, that’s also allowed,” Zamora said in an interview aired over Teleradyo.

“Just so it could be clearer, the MMC will release guidelines formally very soon because last time, an agreement has already been reached,” he added.

Zamora explained that while kids are allowed to buy food, they are not allowed to avail themselves of dine-in services as it requires them to remove their masks and be in an environment filled with other people, which the Metro mayors believe would place them at high risk of infection.

“We will not yet allow that and that’s been agreed upon by the MMC,” he said.

Meanwhile, kids who have an employment status that allows their age can also head outdoors.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases earlier allowed Metro Manila residents “point-to-point” interzonal travel to areas under general community quarantine or lower quarantine status.

Metro Manila cities are now under moderate risk amid a decline in the reproduction number of COVID-19 cases, according to OCTA Research last week.

The Philippine National Police, meanwhile, said there were only about 82 areas under granular lockdown––30 of which were in Quezon City, 25 in Manila, 13 in the Eastern District (Pasig, Marikina, Mandaluyong and San Juan), 11 in the Southern District (Makati, Taguig, Pasay, Pateros, Las Piñas, Parañaque and Muntinlupa) and three in the Northern District (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela).

Of the areas, 38 were houses, 18 residential buildings, 13 subdivisions, seven streets and six building floors.