Pasay renews outdoor ban on kids

MANILA, Philippines — The Pasay City government has reimposed its ban on minors going outdoors amid the threat posed by COVID-19’s Delta variant.

Mayor Emi Rubiano said she views minors as “superspreaders” if they are allowed to leave their homes.

“If (individuals as young as five years old) are allowed to go out, of course, they would commute. They would not say if they have cough or they could not breathe,” Rubiano told reporters in Filipino.

“Here, in Pasay, they are not allowed to loiter. Some think that because it was allowed, they would go out to the streets and play, talk outside. They are being accosted by barangay officials,” she added.

Earlier, the mayors of Metro Manila allowed minors as young as five years old to go out of their homes and go to parks and other outdoor areas.

Yesterday, the government placed Metro Manila under general community quarantine with heightened restrictions until the end of the month.

Rubiano also reiterated that mass gatherings in the city are still not allowed.

“Because of this, barangay officials are constantly checking if this is being followed,” she said.

Meanwhile, the city government of Las Piñas closed down its nursery and botanical garden to prevent the spread of the Delta variant.