Cebu City to allow fully jabbed elderly to go out

CEBU, Philippines —  Acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said the city will adopt the pronouncement of Malacañang allowing fully vaccinated senior citizens to go outside of their homes.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced on Friday that fully vaccinated seniors in general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ areas are now allowed to go out of their homes for non-essential trips, subject to conditions like bringing of the duly issued vaccination cards and following the minimum health protocols.

Roque said the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) made the decision in a meeting on Thursday.

Interzonal travel for fully vaccinated senior citizens, however, is still prohibited except for point-to-point travel.

Rama said he will still talk to his consultants and the City Attorney if he could issue an executive order with regard to the matter on behalf of Mayor Edgardo Labella who is currently on a three-week leave.

"If there is a need, why not? If I can issue an executive order, in the absence of the mayor, I will,” said Rama.

But, as far as Rama is concerned, he said there is no need for an EO, stating that if such will be issued, it will be for purposes of emphasis.

With this latest development, he reminded the fully vaccinated seniors in the city to exercise their so-called “freedom with responsibility.”

He emphasized they should still strictly follow the minimum health protocols.

Before the announcement, seniors were prohibited from going outside their homes unless they were on essential trips and no one who could do such errands for them.  (FREEMAN)