National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. said it was too early to allow minors inside shopping malls even if their parents accompany them.
“We are still under [general community quarantine, where minors] are barred from [shopping] malls. But the authorities have decided to allow them, as long as they will be accompanied by a responsible adult. Take note—responsible adult,” Danao said after a program at Manila Police District headquarters on Tuesday.
“But if it were [up] to me, I would suggest not to allow them yet. Because until the children and the older ones who [are vulnerable to] COVID-19 [are cleared], I would suggest that they avoid going to the malls,” Danao said.
On Tuesday, Danao, minors are still prohibited from visiting malls in areas under general community quarantine in an interview.
Police Lieutenant General Cesar Hawthorne Binag then clarified that Local government units still need to issue ordinances allowing minors inside malls amid the pandemic.
“Ang statement ni Sec. [Eduardo] Año, siyempre ‘pag walang ordinansa, ‘di pa sila puwede… Kailangan ng ordinansa na magbibigay ng kapangyarihan sa local government units na maglagay ng mga kanilang mga different restrictions. So ‘pag wala pang ordinansa, bawal pa,” Binag told GMA News Online.
No final decision yet on allowing minors in malls in NCR
Meanwhile, Año, in a recent statement on Wednesday, said Metro Manila mayors have no final decision yet if the minors would be allowed to visits malls as the capital region remained under general community quarantine.
In an interview on Unang Balita, Año said the mayors are still discussing the matter. He added the mayors would still discuss the issue with the Philippine Pediatric Society and other health experts before making a decision.
“Ang update natin makikipag-meeting pa sila sa Philippine Pediatric Society para magkaroon sila ng discussion. Based doon sa kanilang consensus, ang sabi nila hindi pa sila handa dahil Christmas, puwede ‘yang ‘di matuloy. At kung sabihin naman nila na pupuwede ganitong edad, papayagan natin, accompanied by guardians or parents, we can adapt it,” he added.