Acting Mayor Michael Rama on Monday said unvaccinated minors are allowed in indoor establishments if they are accompanied by their parents, guardians, or responsible adults who are fully vaccinated.

Rama’s clarification came after many patrons of restaurants and fastfood stores took their sentiments to social media after being refused entry over the weekend by establishments that only allow individuals or groups who could present vaccination cards.

In his Directive No. 10-25-01 released Monday afternoon, Rama set certain standards for the establishments that are allowed to operate at a maximum capacity of 50 percent for fully vaccinated customers and 70 percent for outdoor venues.

The acting mayor put a rider on his directive clarifying that minors who are yet to receive their coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine can go with their parents or guardians, as long as the latter are also fully vaccinated.

He, however, reminded city residents to strictly maintain minimum public health standards even if they have already received the complete doses of the vaccine.

“Any person below 15 years old, those who are over 65 of age, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women should be required to remain in their residences at all times, except for obtaining essential goods and services, or for work in industries and offices or such other permitted activities,” Rama said in his directive.

He said those who are over 65 years old but fully vaccinated against Covid-19 are allowed to go out of their homes.

Meanwhile, Rama said establishments and institutions that are allowed to resume operation under the Alert Level 2 issued by the Inter-Agency Task for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) were required to submit a duly signed Pandemic Related Contingency and Action Plan to the mayor’s office through the Emergency Operations Center and the Business Permit and Licensing Office here.

He said these establishments could only resume operation if their contingency plan will be found to be satisfactory after a thorough evaluation by the EOC and issuance of a certificate of approval.

“The certificate of approval will serve as an authority to operate and/or conduct the newly allowed business activity,” he said, adding that those who will violate the rule will face penalty without prejudice to suspension or closure of operation,” he said. (PNA)