Seniors, youths still restricted under GCQ

MANILA, Philippines — The elderly and those below 21 years old are still not allowed to roam freely outside their residences unless it is absolutely necessary under the general community quarantine (GCQ), the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) said in its latest resolution.

“Any person below 21 years old, those who are 60 years old and above, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity or other health risks and pregnant women shall be required to remain in their residences at all times. Provided, that all activities and movements allowed under other sections of these guidelines for the foregoing persons shall continue to be permitted under MGCQ,” read part of the IATF Resolution 43, referring to modified GCQ.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said the IATF made the amendments to section 5 of the guidelines for MGCQ areas, which earlier allowed the free movements of these sectors.

Under the same guidelines, the IATF also said the movement of all persons in areas placed under MGCQ shall be limited to accessing essential goods and services, for work in the offices or industries permitted to operate and for other activities permitted under the section.

Meanwhile, the IATF has included range shooting as among the outdoor non-contact sports that are allowed for areas placed under GCQ.

“Outdoor non-contact sports and other forms of exercise such as but not limited to walking, jogging, running, biking, golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, equestrian, range shooting and skateboarding are allowed,” the IATF said, amending a section of the guidelines for GCQ.

“Provided, that the minimum public health standards such as the wearing of masks and the maintenance of social distancing protocols and no sharing of equipment, where applicable, are observed,” it added.

The IATF also ruled that the operations of the relevant clubhouses or similar establishments shall be limited to basic operations.

Department of the Interior and Local Government spokesman Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said that while there will no longer be travel restrictions within the cities of Metro Manila, traveling across borders is still limited under GCQ.

He noted that individuals going in and out of Metro Manila, aside from workers, would still need to secure travel authority under GCQ.

However, workers who are considered to be authorized persons outside residence will still be allowed to pass through if they show proper identification cards.

The Philippine National Police has issued over 57,000 travel authority certificates for locally stranded individuals who want to return to their hometowns. Emmanuel Tupas, Rudy Santos