METRO Manila residents below 18 years old are still not allowed in restaurants and shopping malls despite the less restrictive quarantine status, Malacañang said on Friday.

Palace Spokesman Harry Roque said that minors can only go out to buy basic and essential needs and for exercises.

“Hindi naman po binago ang rule, kung kinakailangan dahil ito po ay necessity, para bumili ng gamot, para bumili ng pagkain, para magtrabaho ay hindi naman po sila pinagbabawalan,” Roque said at a press briefing.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairperson Benjamin Abalos Jr. affirmed Roque’s statement.

“The rule of thumb that parents should follow in allowing their children to go out in public is to think of the protection of their children because they are vulnerable and to always maintain the minimum public health protocols if and when children need to be out,” Abalos said.

He noted that Metro Manila mayors agreed to allow intrazonal and interzonal travel for minors only if they are accompanied by an adult.

If minors are seen outside with no adult companion, the MMDA chair said authorities will accost them and escort them back to their homes.

The government downgraded Metro Manila’s alert status to Level 3 until the end of October.