Rules eased for residents age 10-65 in MGCQ areas

MANILA, Philippines — The government has relaxed mobility restrictions for people age 10 to 65 in areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

In its latest resolution, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) said people in this age group in MGCQ areas can step out of their homes beginning Feb. 1.

The move was in response to an appeal from economic managers to ease the restrictions as a way to boost economic activity.

Physical health

On the other hand, “[a]ny person below 10 years old and those who are over 65 years of age shall be required to remain in their residence at all times,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said at an online briefing on Friday.

“Filipino children have already stayed in their homes for ten months now, and allowing those to leave their houses, especially on a weekend activity, is good for their physical, social and mental health,” Roque added.

Less restrictions

The Palace official also said the IATF encourages local governments in areas under the stricter general community quarantine (GCQ) to take similar steps to ease community quarantine restrictions based on age.

Areas under GCQ until the end of the month, when quarantine restrictions are expected to be adjusted anew, include Metro Manila, Santiago City in Isabela province, Tacloban City, Iligan City, Davao City and the provinces of Batangas, Lanao del Sur and Davao del Norte.

The rest of the country is under MGCQ, the least restrictive level of quarantine classifications.

Too few customers

Earlier, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua called for the easing of age restrictions to allow more families to go out.

Lopez said there were still too few customers patronizing businesses.

He also said children age 10 years old and above would be able to follow health regulations intended to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.