Metro Manila mayors to allow residents aged 18-65 outside homes


Metro Manila residents aged 18 to 65 are now allowed outside their homes, according to the Metro Manila Council (MMC) chairman.

(JANSEN ROMERO / MANILA BULLETIN)

MMC chairman and Parañaque mayor Edwin Olivarez on Monday said that mayors of Metro Manila have agreed to relax quarantine age during a meeting on Sunday with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

"Okay po ang Metro Manila Council pagdating po sa pagbubukas ng mga edad pagdating sa authorized persons outside residence (APOR), pero ang pinagkasunduan po, NCR (National Capital Region) lang po, 18-65 (The Metro Manila Council have agreed to relax quarantine age to 18-65 when it comes to authorized persons outside residence, but the agreement only covers the NCR)," Olivarez said in an interview over DZMM Teleradyo.

"Yun pong 18, iniiwasan po nating pagala-gala sa lansangan at yung ating kabataan mas vulnerable sila kesa ating mas mature na 18 years old (We avoid those who are below 18 to wander the streets because our youth is more vulnerable to the virus than our more mature 18 years old.)," he added.

Olivarez also said that quarantine passes will no longer be required in Metro Manila with the easing of age restriction on APOR.

"Hindi na po kailangan ng quarantine passes kasi kailangan na po nating magbukas ng ekonomiya, pero hindi po natin pwedeng i-compromise ang protocol natin (Quarantine passes will no longer be required because we are easing restrictions to open our economy, however, we will still not compromise our health protocols)," Olivarez clarified.

IATF Resolution No. 79, released October 16, stated local government units have the freedom to impose a higher age limit for minors.