MANILA, Philippines – Fully vaccinated senior citizens in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ (MGCQ) are now allowed to go outside their residence Malacañang announced Friday.
They should, however, present a duly issued COVID-19 vaccination card, and follow minimum public health standards, such as wearing face masks, face shields, and social distancing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.
He said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases allowed this during a meeting on Thursday.
Fully-vaccinated seniors citizen, however, are still limited to travel within their zone as interzonal travel is still prohibited, except for point-to-point travel, Roque added.
Under previous IATF policies, only persons aged 15 to 65 years old are allowed outside their residence.
In February, however, the IATF allowed persons aged 10 to 65 in MGCQ areas to step out of their homes.
As of June 8, were 415,540 senior citizens who have been fully vaccinated or received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Inbound travel rules
Meanwhile, the IATF amended guidelines for inbound international travel of fully vaccinated individuals inoculated in the Philippines, Roque said, which will be effective by June 16.
Among the amended guidelines include requiring fully vaccinated individuals to carry their vaccination cards which must be verified prior to their departure prior to boarding.
“The IATF explained the verification process of vaccination cards, stating that a fully vaccinated individual must carry his or her vaccination card which must be verified prior to his/her departure prior to boarding, and a certification issued prior to his/her departure by the Department of Information and Communications Technology or the City Health Officer of the local government unit which administered the last dose necessary for full vaccination,” Roque said.
The guidelines also include a seven-day facility-based quarantine period for Filipinos returning from abroad.