Metro Manila mayors will discuss if unvaccinated younger children against the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) will be subjected to travel restrictions, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said on Sunday, Nov. 14.
This came after Año’s confirmation that Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos Jr. relayed that the Metro Manila mayors will discuss the matter after a 2-year-old boy who just came from the mall was tested positive for COVID-19 in a rapid antigen test.
“Kahapon (Nov. 13), nagkausap kami ni chairman Benhur (Abalos) at napagusapan namin ito (the incident) at sa pulong na ginagawa ng mayors isa sa kanilang tatalakayin para makita na kailangan bang magkaroon ng restrictions sa younger kids,’’ (Yesterday, chairman Benhur and I talked about it and in the coming mayors’ meeting this is one of the issues that they will tackle to determine if there is a need to impose restriction for younger kids),’’ Año said in an interview over GMA News.
Año noted that they were also investigating reports that the two-year-old boy in case the test was a false positive.
"Too early to make conclusions pero maganda na pinag-aaralan natin (but it would be better if we study it)," he pointed out.
With the said incident, Año earlier said “that's very unfortunate. 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’s necessary.”
Año noted that the pandemic is far from over even if the COVID-19 cases are low, adding “it’s within the authority of LGUs (local government units) to put restrictions as the situation may call for.”
The report came from a doctor who shared in a social media post on November 10 that a two-year-old kid tested positive for COVID-19 after visiting a mall on Nov. 9.
The intrazonal and interzonal movement will be allowed for minors after NCR was placed under the alert level 2 quarantine classification. (Chito A. Chavez)