BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The National Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF) is allowing outdoor activities for children as young as five years old in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ. In Negros Occidental, however, minors are still prohibited from going out, according to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.
The province might just identify outdoor areas where minors could go.
Lacson said he would first consult with the Provincial Incident Management Team (PIMT).
Last week, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced that the NIATF has allowed children aged five and above in outdoor areas like al-fresco dining establishments, outdoor tourist sites, beaches, hiking trails, and playgrounds.
However, other outdoor areas such as malls are still off-limits to children.
Roque said minors who wish to go out must be accompanied by adults. Minimum health protocols must also be in place.
Moreover, local government units may increase the age restriction of children, depending on the coronavirus disease situation in their respective areas.
On the other hand, in this city, Dr. Chris Sorongon, deputy for medical data and analysis of the Emergency Operations Center, said a “status quo” will still be observed.
All minors in Bacolod are still prohibited from going outdoors, he said.
According to Sorongon, coronavirus infections in this city are still surging./PN
