The mayors of Metro Manila urged the government to prohibit anew children aged five and above from going outside of their residences over the threat of the Delta Covid-19 variant.
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases earlier in July relaxed mobility restrictions on children in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ.
Metro Manila is under GCQ.
“Kami pong mga mayors, nag-usap-usap po kami at hinihiling po sana namin sa IATF baka maaari na ‘yung polisiya tungkol sa five-year-olds pataas ay baka puwedeng isuspende muna sa Metro Manila,” Metro Manila Development Authority chief Benhur Abalos said in a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte.
Abalos said children could become superspreaders of the virus since they have yet to be vaccinated.
IATF Resolution No. 125 released on July 9 allowed children aged five and above to go to the following places, accompanied by their parents:
- beach
- park
- playground
- outdoor tourism areas
- biking and hiking trails
However, they remain banned from going inside mixed-use indoor/outdoor buildings and facilities such as malls. John Ezekiel J. Hirro