After families flooded Manila Bay, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos appealed to parents to refrain from taking children to crowded places.
Although Abalos said he understands that parents are excited about the children’s release, it should still not be forgotten that there is still COVID-19.
“Kung nakita na nating medyo maraming tao, iwasan na natin. Ito’y para sa anak natin at para sa atin din,” said Abalos.
Last week, the government allowed those aged 5 and above to leave their homes in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ.
According to Health Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire, the Inter-Agency Task Force’s (IATF) consent to the release of children is also based on studies showing that they are highly affected by the long lockdown.
“Nagkakaroon na sila ng issues, both physically and mentally. ‘Yong kanilang developmental stages ay naha-hamper at naapektuhan because of the lockdowns, because they can’t interact properly with other people,” said Vergeire.
It is now up to parents to keep their children safe while outdoors.
MMDA chair: Avoid taking children to crowded places
Aside from wearing a face mask and shield, and washing hands, it is also best to avoid mixing with other “bubbles” or groups.
According to Department of Health data, 151,887 COVID-19 victims belong to the pediatric age group or those of about one-month-old infants up to 19 years old.
“Ang mataas na bilang ng nagkakaroon ay less than 2 years old,” said Vergeire.
“We will assume sila ‘yong closely cared for by their mothers at maaring doon galing ang infection. That is an assumption. Inaaral pa namin,” she added.
In the pediatric age group, the total death toll was 435.
According to a special article by the OCTA Research Group, the case fatality rate or the number of deaths at the age of 0 to 17 is increasing in the National Capital Region.
Meanwhile, the IATF also recommended that Malaysia and Indonesia be included in the list of countries with travel restrictions due to the increase in the Delta variant of COVID-19.
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