Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15) — Mayors in the capital region have unanimously decided to allow children aged 5 and above to visit outdoor areas of shopping malls with their parents or guardians, Quezon City mayor Joy Belmonte said on Thursday.
She said they will not be allowed to go inside the enclosed parts of the malls where there is not enough ventilation.
“According to the latest MMC (Metro Manila Council) resolution na pinirmahan ng kalakhang Maynila, they will allow these open spaces adjacent to malls na puntahan ng bata basta hindi payagang pumasok sa malls,” she said in a media briefing.
[Translation: According to the latest resolution signed by the Metro Manila mayors, children will be allowed in open spaces adjacent to malls as long as they are not allowed to enter the mall].
The latest Inter-Agency Task Force resolution, which allowed kids to go outside amid the pandemic, said children cannot go to the outdoor areas of malls. But it gave local government units the leeway to revise the rules.
MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos said the MMC resolution also only allows 50% capacity of outdoor parks, playgrounds, and non-contact sports courts. The full document has yet to be released.
