5 yrs old above can now go out; Cebu City won't implement rule just yet

CEBU, Philippines —  The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has lowered to five years old the age allowed for those who can go outdoors in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ.

Under IATF Resolution 125, areas under MGCQ and GCQ, except those under heightened restrictions, can now allow children who are five years old and above to areas outdoors with free air movement such as parks, playgrounds, beaches, bike and hike trails, and tourist sites and attractions as may be defined by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Outdoor non-contact sports courts and venues, and al fresco dining establishments in GCQ and MGCQ areas are also allowed to accept these kids.

These outdoor areas shall not include mixed-use indoor/outdoor buildings and facilities, such as malls and similar establishments.

The IATF also emphasized that the child should be supervised by an adult.

Minimum public health standards such as the wearing of face masks and social distancing should be observed at all times.

Local government units, however, are given the prerogative to bring the age restriction up again depending on the COVID-19 situation in their areas.

"The latest issuance has been deliberated by all stakeholders at the level of the IATF. However, it has always been up to the different local government units to assess the applicability of such issuances to the realities in their areas. The DOH remains to be in the opinion that minimum public health protocols have to be observed by all, especially in the setting that a significant portion of the community is not yet vaccinated," said Dr. Van Baton, spokesperson of the Department of Health (DOH)-7.

Cebu City won’t heed

An LGU that is not keen on implementing the new policy just yet is Cebu City.

“Just like what we did with the Archdiocese, mortuaries, and the likes, we’re asking for this month of July nga dili ta mo-relax,” said Councilor Joel Garganera, chief implementer of the city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

Gargarnera said it will only be when the number of cases in the city will go down again when City Hall will consider lowering the age restriction among children.

“I’m just asking them for the month of July. We’ll bring down our cases first then mo-entertain ta anang pag-relax sa atong protocol sa edad. We’re on the same page, we’re on that direction, pero dili sa karon tungod sa nagkasaka atong mga kaso,” Garganera said.

As of Friday, July 9, Cebu City has 807 active cases and logged eight deaths for July.

It’s critical care occupancy rate remains in the safe zone at 32.4 percent for the 14 total hospitals catering to COVID patients.

Vaccination

Meanwhile, IATF also clarified the policy on individuals who have been vaccinated fully.

Resolution 125 amends paragraphs B, and D of IATF Resolution No. 124-B and now states that the intrazonal movement of fully vaccinated senior citizens within areas under General Community Quarantine and Modified General Community Quarantine shall continue to be allowed, subject to the presentation of a COVID-19 vaccination card duly issued by a legitimate vaccination establishment/authority, whether local or foreign or a certificate of quarantine completion showing the holder’s vaccination status as my be issued by the Bureau of Quarantine, whichever is applicable. Provided that strict observance of minimum public health standards shall continue.”

For interzonal travel, “allowed under the pertinent resolutions of the IATF and provisions of the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines, as amended, local government units may accept a COVID-19 vaccination card duly issued by a legitimate vaccinating establishment/authority whether local or foreign or certificate of quarantine completion showing the holder’s vaccination status as may be issued by the Bureau of Quarantine, whichever is applicable, as an alternative to RT-PCR testing requirement (before travel or upon arrival) which the local government unit may require.”

Considering the ongoing improvements on the system for verifying COVID-19 vaccination cards, COVID-19 vaccination cards duly issued by legitimate vaccination establishments/authorities shall be sufficient proof of vaccination.

Any individual who shall present forged and/or falsified vaccination cards shall be dealt with in accordance to the law.

“Calibrated po ang approach ng gobyerno... bawat araw pinag-aaralan, pinag-uusapan, it is based on good Science always...Tinitingnan naman natin mga improvements dito sa ating bansa at sa ibang bansa,” said Senator Christopher Go during a visit to Cebu.

Go said the national government is studying everything carefully to balance health and economic recovery.

Along with this, he called on Filipinos to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Aside from the protection it gives against the dreaded disease, it also lessens the burden of having to get a swab test.

“Please lang, magpabakuna tayo. Bakuna solusyon in reopening of the economy. Tandaan po natin, kalusugan at buhay... Ingat gihapon ta, buhay, before anything else... safety muna… Wag magalit, para po ito sa bawat Pilipino,” he said. - Rowena D. Capistrano, JMO (FREEMAN)