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MANILA, Philippines – The mayors of Metro Manila rejected calls to allow children 17 and younger to leave their residences and visit shopping centers while the general community quarantine (GCQ) is still in effect, said an official from the Manila Metropolitan Development Authority (MMDA) uncovered Thursday.
“Po unanimous. Mayors 17-0 will not allow minors out, ”MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia said at an online press conference.
The decision was made after the mayors of Metro Manila consulted the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS).
“I am not a doctor. In layman’s terms, kinausap ko si Doctor [Rosario] Eusebius [of PPS] , the minor has high resistance to that so asymptomatic that. It is difficult to control children, they are infected and when they get home their grandfather can be infected and that is what is being avoided, ”explained García, when asked about the opinion of the PDS.
(Dr. Eusebio said that children have strong immune systems, so they could become infected, but asymptomatic. Children are difficult to control. So if they contract COVID-19, they can transmit the disease to other family members in the home).
Garcia later clarified that minors can go out but only for essential services and exercise. He said it is up to local government units to enforce laws or orders for minors.
“Actually exercise has been allowed. That is essential, your exercise. It is subject to the interpretation of LGU. But exercise is allowed, the only thing that is not possible are contact sports like basketball, ”said Garcia.
(Exercise is allowed for minors. It is subject to the interpretation of the LGU. But exercise is allowed as long as it involves non-contact sports).
Sanctions against minors who violate the rules also depend on the LGU, Garcia said.
On Tuesday, the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, Eduardo Año, clarified that minors are prohibited inside shopping centers unless local government units approve an ordinance that allows children to visit such establishments.
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