The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) approved the recommendation to relax age-based restrictions for areas placed under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) beginning February 1, 2021. This was announced by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Friday.
“Sa MGCQ, ano po ‘yung inapruban? Pupuwede na pong lumabas ang mga bata na may edad 10 gulang hanggang senior citizens na 65 years old (In MGCQ, what was approved? Children aged 10 up to senior citizens aged 65 are now allowed to go outside of their homes),” Roque announced over state-owned People’s Television Network (PTV).
“Any person below 10 years old and those who are over 65 years of age shall be required to remain in their residence at all times,” Roque said in a press statement.
Roque said local government units (LGUs) are enjoined to adopt the same relaxation of age-restrictions for areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ).
In its Resolution 95, the IATF-EID allowed foreigners with valid visas, including personnel of accredited international organizations, and spouse and minor children of Filipino citizens, to visit the Philippines, Roque said.
The 95th IATF meeting ratified the National Deployment and Vaccination Plan for COVID-19, which shall serve as guide for vaccination implementers, such as the LGUs.
Also approved in the meeting was the request of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to conduct and administer the licensure examinations for professionals scheduled for January to March 2021.
The IATF amended its earlier resolution, IATF Resolution No 92, on all foreign travelers covered by travel restrictions because of the new COVID-19 variants.
It specified those exempted, such as foreign nationals with valid visas, which include personnel of accredited international organizations, and spouse and minor children of Filipino citizens traveling with them. Those who arrive for medical and emergency cases, including their medical escorts, if any, are now subject to applicable testing and quarantine protocols as prescribed by the Department of Health (DOH).
“Passengers coming from, or transiting through, countries where travel restrictions are in place due to new COVID-19 variants, these incoming passengers shall be tested upon arrival and shall be quarantined until the result of the subsequent test administered on the fifth day is released,” Roque said.
“Also amended were sections related to hotels or accommodation establishments on the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines as proposed by the Department of Tourism,” Roque added. – Newsline.ph
