BACOLOD City Councilor Renecito Novero expressed gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte for taking back an earlier decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to allow children aged 10-14 in areas under modified general community quarantine to go out of their homes starting February 1.
Novero said he is happy with Duterte's decision not to allow the children aged 10 to 14 to go out because of the threat of the new coronavirus disease (Covid-19) variant.
"It is a welcome development and since it was already recalled (IATF decision) by the President, it means that it will not be implemented in February," he said.
He added it is better to secure the safety of the children than to expose them to risk.
Novero noted that the Philippine Pediatric Society also released an opinion that they are against the policy issued by the IATF to allow the children aged 10 to 14 to go out of their homes.
"Possibly, the President also considered their opinion not to allow the children aged 10 to 14 to go out of their homes because of the new Covid variant," Novero said.
On Monday evening, January 25, Duterte announced that he will not allow children aged 10-14 to go out because of the new Covid variant.
Duterte said it was just a precaution because he is afraid that this new variant strikes young children.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said the IATF approved the recommendation to relax age-based restrictions for areas placed under MGCQ.
The IATF currently allows children aged 15 to 65 years old to go out of their homes.