Metro Manila mayors have unanimously voted to keep the ban on the movement of minors under general community quarantine (GCQ).
“Unanimous po, 17-0, the mayors will not allow minors to go out. That’s why ‘yung ating GCQ guidelines na 18 to 65, ‘yun pa rin ang papayagan lumabas,” Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Jojo Garcia said on Thursday.
However, exceptions would be made for those below 18 or older than 65 seeking essential services.
“Alam naman natin iyong mga malls natin, may mga clinic sa loob iyan, may mga dental clinic, ia-allow naman po iyan. Kumbaga ang responsibilidad po talaga niyan ay sa ating mga kababayan, sa mga magulang po, hindi po naman siguro gusto nilang ilagay sa kapahamakan o sa risk ang kanilang mga anak,” Garcia said in a Laging Handa briefing.
Palace spokesman Harry Roque said the decision Metro Manila mayors came up with was in accordance with existing health protocols.
“Iyan po ay sang-ayon din doon sa discretion na ibinigay ng IATF sa mga lokal na pamahalaan,” he added.
Christmas restrictions
Minors will also not be allowed to attend Simbang Gabi or Christmas novena Masses held in the evening or dawn.
Because Metro Manila remained under GCQ, which only allows churches to be occupied at 30 percent capacity, Garcia said the region’s mayors had modified Simbang Gabi guidelines.
“Sa Simbang Gabi ay ini-adjust na po natin iyong curfew ng 12 a.m. to 3 a.m. na lang para bigyang daan iyong Simbang Gabi ng 3 a.m. Alam naman po natin ang capacity ng simbahan is 30 percent lang, so mas madaming Mass, mas madaming maseserbisyuhan ‘no na mga churchgoers,” he said.
Christmas caroling and family reunions are also prohibited during the holidays. John Ezekiel J. Hirro