Minors Banned Outside Homes In Metro Manila

Over 3,000 arrested on first day of unified curfew

- Ellson A. Quismorio And Aaron B. Recuenco

COVID-19 UPDATE IN PH

631,320 - CONFIRMED CASES

4,437 - NEW CASES

12,848 - DEATHS

560,736 - RECOVERED

Starting Wednesday, March 17, minors will be banned anew from going outside their residences amid the alarming rise of active coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in Metro Manila.

A Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) advisory Tuesday, March 16, bared that the Metro Manila Council (MMC) is drafting a resolution prohibiting minors, particularly aged 15-17, to go outdoors for a period of two weeks. This will be implemented in all the 17 cities and lone municipality comprising the National Capital Region (NCR).

This means that only individuals aged 18-65 years old are allowed to go outside their homes.

MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos said the move has been agreed upon by the NCR (Metro Manila) mayors in a bid to contain the transmission of the virus in the metropolis.

“We are implementing age restrictions because of the increase in our COVID-19 cases. We encourage everyone to strictly observe and practice the minimum health protocols, and be extra careful and follow stringent measures particularly when around vulnerable family members, as there have been reports of transmission among family members,” he said.

“As I've said before, the metro mayors and MMDA are regularly monitoring the COVID-19 numbers and we will implement calibration and changes on our directives depending on the figures that we have,” Abalos added.

Last month, Abalos said NCR mayors agreed to ease age restrictions as the government sought to encourage economic activities.