MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) is not in favor of the proposal to allow children aged 14 years old and below as well as the elderly aged 66 and above to go outside of their homes amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday said the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s recommendation is too risky.
“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.”
As it is, individuals aged 15 to 65 are allowed to go outside for essential needs, including going to work, according to Duque.
Earlier in the day, Public Works Secretary Eduardo Año said there is no final decision yet regarding the move, at least in the National Capital Region where mayors are conducting consultations.
“Ang sabi natin, gawin ninyo ang inyong resolution at ordinansa kasi ang mga LGU talaga ang mayroong responsibilidad diyan. Sa ngayon nagsasagawa pa sila ng pulong dahil hati kasi ang mayors ng Metro Manila at kailangan isa lang ang stand nila,” Año said in an interview with GMA 7’s Unang Balita.
“Ang update natin makikipag-meeting pa sila sa Philippine Pediatric Society para magkaroon sila ng discussion. Based doon sa kanilang consensus, ang sabi nila hindi pa sila handa dahil Christmas, puwede ‘yang ‘di matuloy. At kung sabihin naman nila na pupuwede ganitong edad, papayagan natin, accompanied by guardians or parents, we can adopt it,” he added.
Meanwhile, Duque also clarified that the DOH is not banning Christmas celebrations but just limiting it to immediate families.
“Hindi po ipinagbabawal ng DOH ang holiday celebration. Gusto lang po natin ito limitahan sa immediate family members. Hindi na po muna [kasali ang] mga kamag-anak na galing sa ibang lugar,” Duque said.
“Kasi sa siyam na buwan na may pandemya, ang nakakahawa po ay iyong mga walang sintomas o kung meron man, mild lang,” Duque added./PN
