NCR mayors seek experts' opinion to decide on entry of minors in malls

National Capital Region mayors will wait for experts’ report first before they decide on allowing minors to go to malls with their parents amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Jojo Garcia said the mayors agreed on the matter in a meeting on Tuesday.

“Nag-decide kagabi ang mga mayor natin na we will wait for the opinion of the experts. Sabi nga nila: [Kung] payagan natin 'yan, at magkaroon ng surge ang sisihin mayors,” Garcia said.

“Hindi naman mga doktor 'yang mga mayor natin. They're just the decision maker kaya lang based on facts—ano ang masasabi ng mga doktor,” he added.

According to Garcia, the Philippine Pediatrics Society in coordination with the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines will present a report on the safety of the proposed adjustment.

“So we are waiting for the opinion of the Pediatrics Society of the Philippines. Whatever opinion that they will have, we will discuss it again sa mayors, at boboto,” he added.

According to Garcia, the report from the experts will be completed either by Wednesday or Thursday. He added that the decision of mayors may be finalized Thursday night.

NCR local governments only allowed residents within the 18 to 65 age bracket to go outside, despite the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases' allowing 15 to 65 years old outside homes.  —LBG, GMA News