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Minors are still banned from shopping malls this Christmas season, Metro Manila mayors decided Wednesday night after two groups of pediatricians recommended keeping children home for the holidays to minimize the risk of contracting the new coronavirus and Reduce the danger of COVID-19 transmission .
The general manager of the Manila Metropolitan Development Authority (MMDA), José Arturo García Jr., said at a press conference Thursday that the mayors voted unanimously during their meeting on Wednesday night to adopt the recommendation of the Society of Philippine Pediatrics and the Philippine Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. Allow children to go outside as the possibility of infecting them by adults has been established.
The Metro Manila City Council, made up of the heads of the 17 local governments in the capital region, had consulted the two groups for guidance after the Department of the Interior and Local Government ordered the extension of the age range of Young people who can be allowed to Go Out to boost economic activity during the Christmas season.
Keep them out of the malls
The two groups of pediatricians had recommended keeping children 17 and under out of shopping malls and other shopping centers.
“The risk of acquiring COVID-19 from both children and other household members far outweighs the benefits of taking children to shopping malls to celebrate the holiday season,” the two groups said in a joint statement.
While COVID-19 cases among children are less common compared to adults here and around the world, “children and adolescents are equally susceptible and can transmit SARS-CoV-2,” they said, referring to the virus. COVID-19.
Garcia said only people ages 18 to 65 would be allowed out.
However, he said that minors and people over 65 could still go to shopping malls to perform essential activities, such as medical and dental check-ups and buy food and medicine.
Minors can also go out for non-contact sports, such as biking and jogging, “subject to interpretation by local governments,” he said.
García stressed that the minimum health measures must still be observed in these activities.
Minors, he said, are also banned from the traditional “Simbang Gabi,” the novena of Masses celebrated at dawn from December 16 to 24 in preparation for Christmas.
He urged mall operators and local governments to make sure there are no minors in shopping malls during the Christmas season.
Penalties for violation of the rule depend on local ordinances, he said.
No big meetings
Officials also discourage family gatherings and large social gatherings during the holidays.
“With our current pandemic situation, any large gathering of people is considered [risky]”Said the Secretary of Health, Francisco Duque III on Thursday.
It would be more prudent, he said, for people to limit the celebrations to members of the immediate family.
Duque suggested using online platforms for traditional Christmas activities like Simbang Gabi, buying gifts, and getting in touch with family and friends.
“Everyone must remain vigilant as the threat of the pandemic is still here,” he said.
On Thursday, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 1,061 additional coronavirus infections, bringing the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country to 435,413.
Davao City and Quezon City reported the most new cases, each with 92, followed by Rizal Province (50), Pampanga (44), and Quezon Province (43).
The DOH said 328 more patients had recovered, bringing the total number of COVID-19 survivors to 399,325. But the death toll rose to 8,446 with the death of 10 more patients.
Deaths and recoveries left the country with 27,642 active cases, of which 85.2 percent were mild, 6.9 percent asymptomatic, 0.28 percent moderate, 2.6 percent severe, and 5 percent critical. —WITH REPORT FROM DONA Z. PAZZIBUGAN
For more news on the new coronavirus, click here.
What you need to know about the coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
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