MANILA — Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Eduardo Año on November 17 said mall security should not allow the entry of unvaccinated individuals to dine in.
This following reports of dining establishments not strictly requiring patrons to present their COVID-19 vaccination cards.
“Mas maganda po sa entrance pa lamang ng mall ay i-check na natin; ngayon ang
hinihigpitan po natin ay iyong mga certain establishments within the mall,” Año said.
“So, ‘pag sinabi pong mga dining establishments (ang pupuntahan), kailangan po ay vaccinated sila. Para kung sakali man na hindi tsini-check doon sa establisyimentong
iyon ay sa mall entrance pa lamang ay mahuli na natin at mapigil na natin iyong
pagpasok ng mga unvaccinated individuals na hindi naman kailangan nagda-dine-in sa mga malls,” he added.
It comes as the National Capital Region (NCR) was put under Alert Level 2 until the end of November. The protocol allows minors to go to leisure areas with their fully vaccinated parents or guardians.
In a report by GMA News, the country’s current vaccination roll-out only covers children aged 12 and above.
Duterte wants unvaccinated children barred from malls and public places
In a taped briefing November 15, President Duterte urged local government officials to impose restrictions on unvaccinated minors entering public areas to protect them from contracting COVID-19.
“Alam ko ang mga magulang gustong gusto na ninyong ipasyal ang mga anak ninyo at hindi pa
bakunado,” he said, advising parents not to take their younger children to malls and other public places.
“Do not expose them to the virus. Wala pa silang depensa. They have no defense mechanism in their system . . . Hindi katulad ng mga bakunado na,” he added.
Duterte’s comments came following reports a two-year-old child contracted COVID-19 after visiting a mall.
“On this note, I am calling all local government units to consider passing ordinances for age restrictions among minors who can be allowed to go to the malls,” Duterte said.
“Certainly, we cannot allow those below 12 years old or those who are still unvaccinated to be exposed to the risk of getting COVID-19 in public places,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) has declared the case an isolated one.
“Nagpapaalala lang kami na maraming factors that can contribute sa pagkakasakit ng bata. We cannot definitely be certain na galing sa mall ‘yan, dahil maraming pwedeng
maging exposure ang bata,” DOH Undersec. Maria Rosario Vergeire told Teleradyo.
In a report by ABS-CBN News, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos said they will consult with health and business leaders on Duterte’s call to bar unvaccinated children from malls and other public places.
“Kung anuman ang mapagkasunduan, ito po ay ihahain ko sa ating mga alkalde,
sa mga mayors, at siguro ito po ang aming magiging posisyon later on,” Abalos told a televised public briefing.
“Lahat ay involved po. Huwag kayong mag-alala, we will make sure that ito ay kasama
sa diyalogong ito,” he added.
Abalos also reminded parents to be responsible with their children.
“(Kung ang) anak naman ay talagang mga baby pa ito, let’s say 2 months old…Manggaling
na rin sa atin na talagang huwag na nating dalhin pa sa mga areas dahil baka mahawa pa ‘no.” he said.
