Metro Manila LGUs to discuss age restrictions for minors in malls —Abalos

A technical working group (TWG) composed of Metro Manila health officials is set to meet on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the age restrictions for minors in malls, according to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Abalos said the TWG will then present its recommendation to the mayors for their approval possibly on Wednesday.

"Kung matapos kami mamaya, baka bukas magpulong na ang mga mayor [If we can finish today, maybe tomorrow we can discuss it with the mayors]," he said.

"The earlier, the better for everyone," he added.

Abalos said the meeting stemmed from the report that a two-year-old child has tested positive for COVID-19 after his parents brought him to the mall.

In his Talk to the People on Monday night, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered local government units to craft an ordinance that would restrict minors aged below 12 years old from going to malls.

Abalos said Metro Manila mayors will try to come up with a uniform ordinance.

"Yun ang usapan naming mga mayor dahil very porous ang mga border namin [That's been the agreement among Metro Manila mayors because our borders are very porous]," he said.

Abalos then appealed to parents not to expose their children, especially the infants, to possible COVID-19 infection.

"Yung magulang, yung parental responsibility niya ipasok niya. Bilang mga magulang dapat manggaling na rin sa atin [As parents, we should be responsible for our children]," he said. —KBK, GMA News