Malacañang has appealed to parents to not bring their children to any of the areas considered as close, crowded, and close-contact settings (3Cs) to prevent them from catching coronavirus (COVID-19).
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles made the statement following reports this month of toddlers as young as two years old testing positive for the disease. A physician even said that she admitted a one-year-old patient with bronchopneumonia.
In his press briefing on Friday, November 26, the acting presidential spokesman said reminded parents that if their kids cannot wear face masks, they should reconsider bringing them to crowded places.
"Tayong mga adults, nasa responsibility na natin siguro natin 'yan na pag crowded area, 'pag closed area, may close contact, hindi naman makapagsuot ng face mask, so hindi natin dadalhin (As adults, it is our responsibility that if it's the 3Cs and the kid cannot wear a face mask, we should not bring them there)," he said.
"'Pag kasama sa 3Cs, lalo pa pong importante na naka-minimum public health standards po tayo tulad ng pagsuot ng face masks (If the area is part of the 3Cs, it's very important to follow the minimum public health standards like the wearing of face masks)," he added.
On the other hand, Nograles urged establishments to assert their authority and require visitors or customers to wear face masks.
"Yung establishimento na mismo, public or private establishments, pag hindi naka-face mask, 'wag na lang natin papasukin (The establishments themselves, whether public or private, if the visitor is not wearing a face mask, do not let them in)," he said.
"Authority niyo na po 'yan (That is your authority). That is part and parcel of your responsibility and obligation na rin po 'wag papasukin kung hindi naka-face mask (to not let them in if they have no masks)," he added.
The Palace official likewise urged local government units (LGUs) to strictly enforce this rule.
" LGUs must strictly enforce that. Tulong-tulong po tayo dito (We should help each other out)," he said.