CHILDREN aged 11 and below are no longer allowed in Manila Bay’s dolomite beach, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said on Tuesday.

DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said children have to be barred in compliance with the alert level imposed in the National Capital Region.

“Sad to say, isa hong masamang balita para sa mga bata, from 11 pababa ang edad ay hindi muna papayagang makapasok dito because of the alert level ng IATF,” Antiporda said in a press briefing.

“Sana maunawaan natin ito. Although sinasabi na puwede kayo sa open areas, but this is a crowded open area. So, we want to be sure na hindi kayo madisgrasya o magkasakit ng Covid,” he added.

Palace Spokesman Harry Roque affirmed Antiporda’s statement.

“As a general rule, stay home pa rin ang mga bata habang hindi pa sila bakunado,” Roque said, adding that minors can only go out to buy basic and essential needs and for exercise.

Health officials earlier sounded the alarm over the huge number of crowds that converged in the strip of white sand on Sunday.