Paranaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez, also chairman of the Metro Manila Council (MMC), announced Monday that Metro Manila mayors will restrict the movement of minors to prevent further spread of COVID-19 infections.
Olivarez said that with the shifting of the National Capital Region (NCR) to Alert Level 3 quarantine classification, teenagers would most likely go to malls and other areas, and possibly spread the virus.
He explained that though children are less likely to become critically ill from COVID-19 infection, they can be “superspreaders” of the virus because they are not yet vaccinated against COVID-19.
"Alam naman po natin 'yung atin pong mga minor hindi pa ho sila bakunado. So, limited lang po ang paggalaw ng ating mga kabataan dito sa Alert Level 3," (We all know that minors are not yet vaccinated. So, their movement should be limited under Alert Level 3.), Olivarez said in an interview with Teleradyo.
The mayor said the government previously barred children from leaving their homes as some experts said they might become "superspreaders."
Olivarez said children under 18 will be allowed outdoors but only for essential activities and medical reasons.
He said minors are allowed to travel if they have part-time work, and to exercise but only within their village.
The mayor reiterated that children are still banned from malls and dine-in restaurants.
"'Yun lang essential muna habang tinitingnan natin ang pagbubukas ng ekonomiya na dahan-dahan. 'Pag binigla po natin, ito po 'yung kinatatakutan ng atin pong mga health worker na magkaroon ulit tayo ng surge," (Only essential activities (are allowed) while we assess the opening up of economy. If we do it immediately, our health workers fear of another surge.), Olivarez said.
He also reminded the business establishments to strictly follow health protocols, such as maintaining 30 percent maximum capacity in dine-in services for fully vaccinated individuals.