Photo from the office of Sen. Grace Poe. (File)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday expressed hope the government and mall authorities would be rigorous in implementing health and safety measures considering that the government is planning to loosen quarantine restrictions, especially on minors.
Poe made the remark after Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said minors may be allowed to go to malls once the local government units release a resolution allowing such.
At present, minors are still prohibited to go to malls.
“As government plans to relax quarantine restrictions on minors, we trust that the government and mall authorities will be rigorous in implementing measures to ensure that safety protocols are observed,” Poe said in a statement.
She noted that the country is still “not over the hump yet” against the COVID-19 battle until an effective vaccine is available.
“The government remains in a hunt for adequate funds to give the free shots at least to the most vulnerable sectors and needy segment of the population, and make them available at reasonable rates to those who can afford,” the senator added.
As of Nov. 30, the Philippines recorded 431,630 COVID-19 cases, with 398,658 recoveries and 8,392 deaths.