BACOLOD CITY - The Emergency Operations Center-Task Force (EOC-TF) has clarified that non-essential visit of minors or persons under 18 years old to shopping malls and other establishments is not allowed here as the city is still under Alert Level 4.
This, after authorities expressed concern over reports that minors or even toddlers were seen inside the malls over the weekend roaming around with their parents or guardians, while others even went inside dining establishments amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some mall managers expressed confusion over the Alert Level System being imposed here.
Dr. Chris Sorongon, EOC-TF deputy for medical and data analysis, said that minors aged 12 to 17 must be allowed entry into malls only for vaccination purposes.
"We are still on Alert Level 4 as per National Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF). Changes on alert level are announced every 15th and 30th of the month," he said, adding that the Executive Order not allowing those under 18 years old and those above 65 years old is still in effect.
Under the new COVID-19 Alert Level System, Alert Level 4 refers to areas, where case counts are high and/or increasing and hospital bed utilization and intensive care unit (ICU) utilization rates are also high.
Mall managers said they will meet with their security team for a run through and clarification of the protocols.
Sorongon thanked them for their support and vigilance as the city's continues its fight against COVID-19.