DILG Says Yes, Police Says No: Are Kids Below 15 Years Old Allowed In NCR Malls?

UPDATE, as of 2 p.m., December 1, 2020: Contrary to DILG's pronouncement earlier, minors in GCQ are still NOT allowed in malls even if accompanied by parents.

Several news websites have attributed the statement to Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief.

Inquirer.net reports Danao told ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo during an interview, “Hindi pa po allowed ‘yan [minors sa malls] sa GCQ.”

He clarified the only "authorized persons outside homes (APOR) or essential workers would be allowed inside shopping centers."

For the latest update on this story, click here.

Original story below

This December, minors can go out of the house, including trips to the mall, as long as they are accompanied by their parents, as quarantines remain in place for another month, an official overseeing the country’s pandemic response said.

Mayors and local officials will issue ordinances on allowing minors outdoors, said Interior Sec. Eduardo Ano. Previously, only those aged 15 to 65 can leave the house.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government clarified that approval from local government units is still needed before it becomes policy.

“We’re still waiting for the final recommendation from the mayors/LGUs before it becomes official policy,” DILG spokesperson Jonathan Malaya told reportr.

World leaders are faced with a tough balancing act: allowing millions to celebrate Christmas and other year-end religious holidays while keeping health protocols in place to prevent a spike in infections.

“Patuloy ang ating paghahanda sa ating mga health facilities kung sakaling magkaroon po tayo ng post-holiday surge,” said Health Sec. Francisco Duque.

"Mas mainam po kung ito ay ating maiwasan kaya naman po hindi kami magsasawang magpapaalala sa lahat na hindi po tayo maaaring maging pabaya o maging mapagluwag or complacent kahit na po pababa ang ating mga kaso," he said.

Ano said Christmas parties and street caroling are banned. Family reunions can be “considered” as mass gatherings, which are not allowed during the pandemic, so this should be kept to immediate family members, he said.

This story originally appeared on Reportr.world. Minor edits have been made by the SmartParenting.com.ph editors

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