Gov't eases age restrictions in MGCQ areas

The government has eased age restrictions in areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), with people aged 10 years to 65 now allowed to go out, Malacañang announced Friday.

"Any person below ten (10) years old and those who are over sixty-five years of age shall be required to remain in their residence at all times," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

The relaxed age-based restrictions for MGCQ areas will take effect starting February 1, 2021, Roque said, citing the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

"Local government units (LGUs), on the other hand, are enjoined to adopt the same relaxation of age-restrictions for areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ)," Roque also said. 

The government previously allowed only those aged 15 to 65 years to go out.

At the Laging Handa public briefing, Interior Undersecretary Martin Diño said barangay officials would strictly monitor if health regulations will be properly observed following the easing of age restrictions.

He said those who are now allowed to go out should wear face masks and face shields and observe social distancing.

"Ang gagawin lang ng barangay imo-monitor natin 'yan so ayan ang mangyayari lang diyan, ang mahigpit na pagbabantay ng barangay at ngayon pinagagamit ko sa barangay ang kanilang mga CCTV dahil napakalaking bagay niyan," Diño said.

The IATF, the government's policy-making body in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, approved the recommendation to relax age restrictions in MGCQ areas during its 95th meeting.

Also ratified during the meeting was the National Deployment and Vaccination Plan for COVID-19, which, according to Roque, "shall serve as guide for vaccination implementers, such as the LGUs."

The IATF also approved the request of the Professional Regulation Commission to conduct and administer licensure examinations for professionals scheduled for January to March 2021.   — with Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK/RSJ, GMA News