Metro Manila Mayors raised concern on guidelines allowing kids below 12 years old to visit malls and other public spaces. They hope the Inter-Agency Task Force For The Management Of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) could evaluate this concern and come up with a new policy.
Last November 19, 2021, all 17 mayors signed the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's (MMDA) resolution "endorsing the mobility restriction on minors below 12 years old" to the IATF.
"There is a concern that the mobility of minors below 12 years old must be restricted in order to avoid and prevent their exposure to or infection from the COVID-19 virus in malls and other public places," the MMDA resolution read.
The local chief executives believe the IATF has the authority to decide on the matter given its access to "necessary scientific and empirical data as well as the health, epidemiological, and pediatric experts.”
Since the implementation of Alert Level 2 in Metro Manila, families have started to bring their kids outdoors and in public spaces but MMDA notes that the physical and mental health of minors must be balanced.
Kids below 12 are those that are not yet covered under the country's pediatric vaccination program. This means they are not yet eligible to get COVID-19 vaccines.
The resolution also comes after a post linking a two-tear-old's COVID-19 infection to her visit to a mall.
Until the IATF comes up with a new policy, the current Alert Level 2 guidelines remain in effect. However, the public must heed the Department of Health's (DOH) reminder against complacency.
"More establishments were opened, but we advise parents and guardians to take extra precaution if they will bring their children with them," DOH Usec. Maria Rosario Vergeire said.
Vergeire also tells parents to make it their responsibility to stay away from crowded places as a safety precaution against COVID-19.
"Let us remember, the objective of having children out is for them to be able to get sunlight, to have exercise, but not to go into these crowded malls," Vergeire adds.
Should kids be banned in malls? Click here to read what other parents have to say on the matter.
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