Metro mayors lower quarantine age cap

All 17 mayors of Metro Manila and the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) have agreed to lower the age limit of minors who will be allowed to leave their homes.

The agreement was reached after a meeting on Wednesday evening between the IATF and the members of the Metro

Manila Council (MMC), the ruling body of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

They did not touch the proposal of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to place the entire country under a modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), though.

MMDA chair Benhur Abalos said the Metro Mayors focused on the issue of lowering the age limit of children who could go out of their homes since they deemed it more important than putting Metro Manila under MGCQ.

Also, some mayors expressed apprehension on the reopening of cinemas. They said that they’ll abide by it if the IATF would recommend the matter to President Rodrigo Duterte and he gives his approval.

The IATF earlier deferred the plan to reopen cinemas to 1 March after Metro Manila mayors opposed the move.

Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez, head of the MMC said all the mayors were apprehensive about the recommendation as it did not go through proper consultation.

Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said he will issue an executive order to prohibit the reopening of cinemas in his area.

The Metro Manila mayors comprising the MMC are supportive of reopening the economy but said they could not sacrifice health protocols.

Abalos, meanwhile, said he is supportive of the decision of the local chief executives on the gradual reopening of the economy.

The MMDA chief said things should be taken slowly as another Covid-19 wave would be difficult to address.

Pasay City Mayor Imelda Rubiano said that while she supports the decision of IATF to open some tourism-related businesses to help revive the economy, she believes that it is not yet the time for theaters to reopen.