IATF eases age limits for tourists

CEBU, Philippines —  The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has eased out age restrictions for tourism purposes in areas under Modified General Community Quarantine, including Cebu and the rest of Central Visayas.

Previously, people who are 21 years old and below and 60 years old and above were required to stay at home under the IATF guidelines. Now, the omnibus guidelines have been relaxed to cover only those who are 15 years old and below and 65 years old and above.

The age brackets can be further relaxed by concerned local government units, though, as stated in IATF Resolution No. 84 series of 2020.

This, upon the determination of the LGU, and subject to prior consultation with the Department of Tourism, Department of Health, and the Department of Interior and Local Government and the development of specific guidelines for this purpose.

Even before this development, though, the Cebu provincial government already did ease out age restrictions, a move supported by DOT-7.

Aside from the age bracket stated above, also required to stay at home are those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women.

Earlier, the IATF had also allowed hotels to operate at 100 percent operational capacity. This, however, will also have to be approved by the DOT first. — JMD (FREEMAN)