Easing of age restrictions in NCR, other GCQ areas to be consulted with mayors — DOH

The easing of age restriction in Metro Manila and other areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) will be consulted with local chief executives, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday.

This came after Malacañang announced that people aged 10 to 65 years living in areas under modified general community quarantine are now allowed to go out.

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

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

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

In a virtual briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the relaxed age-based restrictions will be consulted with mayors in areas under GCQ.

Apart from Metro Manila, areas under GCQ until the end of the month are Isabela, Santiago City, Batangas, Iloilo City, Tacloban City, Lanao del Sur, Iligan City, Davao del Norte, and Davao City.

“For GCQ areas like Metro Manila, ito ay in consultation muna with local chief executives,” Vergeire said.

The Health official said the IATF’s rationale in easing the age-based restriction in MGCQ areas was to balance health and economy.

The Department of Trade and Industry has been pushing to allow minors to go out of their homes to contribute to increasing demand and family consumption, thereby helping in economic recovery. — RSJ, GMA News