NCR mayors to meet to discuss IATF policy allowing children 5 years old and up to go out

National Capital Region mayors are set to meet on Sunday morning to discuss the government's latest policy allowing children aged five years old and up to go outdoors amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a 24 Oras News Alert on Saturday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Friday said this policy of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) will be implemented in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), but not in areas under GCQ with heightened restrictions which include Laguna and Cavite.

Roque said children aged five years old and above can go to the following places provided they are accompanied by adults: beach, park, playground, outdoor tourism areas, and biking and hiking trails.

NCR is under GCQ with some restrictions until July 15.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairperson Benhur Abalos said local government units (LGUs) can decide on how to implement the policy, depending on their areas' open spaces.

Cabinet Secretary and IATF co-chairperson Karlo Nograles meanwhile on Saturday said LGUs can also raise the age requirement.

"May kakayahan ang mga LGU na itaas ang edad ng mga batang papayagan nilang lumabas kung hindi pa sila komportable sa edad 5 taong gulang pataas," he said in an interview on Dobol B TV.

(The LGUs have the power to raise the age requirement of children who will be allowed to go outdoors if they are not comfortable with the requirement set [by the IATF] which is five years old and up.)

The IATF considered the mental health of children in implementing the policy, Nograles said.

Under the new policy, those aged five and above have also been allowed by the government to engage in outdoor non-contact sports and eat in alfresco dining establishments.

Malls, however, still continue to be off limits to children younger than 15 years old.

Health protocols must continue to be followed, the government said. —KG, GMA News