DTI wants quarantine age restrictions eased

Allowing kids over 10 to go out seen to boost businesses

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will propose to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) the easing of age restrictions so even children who are 10 years old can go out of their homes, to help spur economic activity.

In an interview with Radyo5 yesterday, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said he would propose the easing of age restrictions at the next IATF meeting.

At present, only those who are 15 to 65 years old are allowed by the IATF to go out.

Lopez said the proposal is being made as the economy is still far from pre-pandemic levels even as many businesses have reopened.

During the Christmas season when consumption was expected to be high, he said businesses did not see sales return to pre-pandemic levels as the age restriction limited the number of people who can go out.

By expanding the age group that can go out to include children who are 10 years old, he said consumption is expected to increase.

“Roughly 30 to 50 percent of consumption and expenditure when outside is brought about by a complete family. When the children are with the parents, what is being consumed increases,” he said.

Lopez said the 30 to 50 percent share accounted for by families in terms of consumption is based on feedback received by the DTI from malls and restaurants.

He added that those who are 10 years old are expected to be able to comply with the minimum health protocols.

While expanding the age group allowed to go out would be proposed, Lopez said the new strain of the virus is a concern. As such, this would be part of the considerations when the proposal is discussed.

Lopez said the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases after the holidays, particularly in the first two to three weeks of January, would also be part of the considerations.

“If we can see that it improved, and in fact better versus other countries, we might consider,” he said.

He said the government’s approach is for a gradual and safe reopening of the economy.