LGUs to release ordinance after IATF allows minors to go to malls with parents

December 1, 2020

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Tuesday said local government units (LGU) will release an ordinance after the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) allowed minors to go outside amid threats from COVID-19.

Speaking to President Rodrigo Duterte, Año said minors are allowed to go outside and go to malls as long as they are accompanied by their parents.

“In regards to Christmas, we directed the gradual expansion of the age group allowed to go out. Minors can go out and go to the mall as long as they are accompanied by their parents,” he said.

“This will be strengthened by an ordinance from NCR (National Capital Region) mayors in areas under GCQ (General Community Quarantine),” Año added.

In a news report, Año said children will not be allowed to enter malls while no ordinance is released by the LGUs.

Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the specific age group of minors that will be allowed to go out will depend on the decision of the Metro Manila Council.

Roque said once the ordinance is released it will be applicable to the entire Metro Manila.

“This will be subject to the guidelines that the Metro Manila Council and other local government units will create. So we will make sure that children will not be super spreaders that’s why our basic requirement is they will be accompanied by their parents,” he said.

As of 4pm, the Department of Health said the number of COVID-19 cases in the country is now at 432, 925 with 398,782 recoveries and 8, 418 deaths. Ella Dionisio/DMS