Metro Manila mayors to review mall guidelines for kids—Año

Metro Manila mayors will review guidelines on allowing minors in malls, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said on Friday, Nov. 12 after a two-year-old boy reportedly got infected with COVID-19 days after a mall visit.

“The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and mayors are also reviewing the age restrictions to be allowed to the mall. While we have low Covid-19 cases, the pandemic is still not over. It is within the authority of LGUs to put restrictions as the situation may call for,” Año said.

The Interior Secretary also said that he was saddened after hearing about the child that contracted the virus and reminded everyone to follow minimum public health standards.

"That's why we are still reminding everyone to follow the public health protocols and for the parents to discern in bringing their kids to the mall to be careful and only if it is necessary,” he told the Philippine News Agency.

When the country shifted to Alert Level 2 on Nov. 5, age restrictions for people leaving their homes were lifted. People, minors included, crowded malls as restrictions relaxed over the weekend.