No ban on unvaccinated persons in QC malls, Belmonte clarifies

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Wednesday clarified that people who have yet to be vaccinated are still allowed to visit malls.

She issued the statement after reports of a retail store that allegedly prohibited unvaccinated customers from entering.

“Bawal ‘yun. Kailangan puwede silang pumasok sa mall because wala naman ‘yun sa patakaran ng IATF na hindi sila puwedeng pumasok,” he said.

(What the store did was wrong. People should be allowed to enter in malls because the IATF has no such policies banning unvaccinated customers.)     

Belmonte said vaccination cards are being required for those who will avail of dine-in services in restaurants.

She encouraged the public to report to the city government similar experience to remind establishments about the existing protocols.

The National Capital Region is be under Alert Level 3 from November 1 until 14.

Several establishments will be allowed to operate at 30% indoor venue capacity only for fully vaccinated individuals and 50% outdoor venue capacity, provided that all employees are fully vaccinated.

Minors should be allowed outdoors

Belmonte also said minors should already be allowed to go outdoors amid the increasing mental health cases among teenagers.

Interviewed on ANC, Belmonte said more children are experiencing depression, anxiety, and stress.

“Kailangan ‘yung bata payagan nang lumabas kasi tumaas ‘yung bilang ng mental health cases namin dito,” the mayor said.

(Children should be allowed to go out because our cases of mental health problems here have increased.)

For now, Belmonte said schools are hiring more guidance counselors to assist students even virtually. In the 150 schools in the city, there are only 20 guidance counselors, she added.

She pointed out that even parents now are experiencing mental health problems due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Malacanang earlier said children remain barred from going out because they are not yet vaccinated against COVID-19.

In the National Capital Region,  the Metro Manila Council (MMC) on Tuesday approved the intrazonal and interzonal travel of minors, provided that they are accompanied by adult guardians.

Minors are also allowed to access essential goods and services, work in permitted industries, do individual outdoor exercises.—LDF, GMA News