The Department of Health (DOH) reiterated its non-approval of the proposal to allow children aged 14 years old and below and elderly aged 66 to go outside, as they will be exposed to the threat of COVID-19 infection, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.
The recommendation was that of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) which proposes to allow children seven to 14 years old to go to malls if they are accompanied by their guardians.
“Ang posisyon namin, hindi po nagbabago. We discourage that kasi meron pa ring risk,” Duque said.
“Sa siyam na buwan na karanasan natin sa COVID-19, three to five percent po ng total infected cases natin ay sa mga bata nangyari. Hindi po sila exempted sa hawaan,” he added.
Currently, individuals aged 15 to 65 are allowed to go outside for essential needs, including going to work.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said there is no final decision yet regarding allowing minors inside malls, at least in the National Capital Region where mayors are seeking advice from the Philippine Pediatrics Society and the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines first.
