Senior Citizens are Not Allowed Outside of their Homes Except

Yesterday, the guidelines for areas that will be transitioned to general community quarantine (GCQ) has been released by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease (IAT-EID) and announced in a live press briefing by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.

Moreover, the presidential spokesperson also discussed additional guidelines for areas that will remain under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

Based on these new guidelines, starting today, May 1, 2020, senior citizens, living in areas under ECQ and GCQ, will now be allowed to go out of their homes – that is, if they are still working or living alone. 

Senior Citizens, generally, must stay at home

Generally, citizens ages 60 and above are required to stay in their homes at all times. However, previously, groups and lawmakers asked the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to review this policy. Hence, some exemptions have been made.

Exemptions

For senior citizens in areas under ECQ or GCQ

1. Based on the new guidelines, senior citizens who are employed in industries and offices which are allowed to operate under under ECQ/GCQ will be allowed to go out of their homes to report for work.
2. One the other hand, those ages 60 and above who live alone, may also be allowed to go out only for essential purposes like buying food and other necessities.

For senior citizens in areas under GCQ

1. In places transitioned to GCQ, only senior citizens who are buying necessities and those employed in essential establishments located inside malls or shopping centers can enter the said areas which will be allowed to have limited operations under the guidelines.

Living the new normal

As many of us will be starting to live the new normal which is the general community quarantine, there will certainly be a lot of adjustments to be made. And as we take steps into this new way of living, may we not forget to make sure that we take care of ourselves and our families, work together, and keep ourselves informed of advisories and other updates from authorities.
As for those in areas that will remain under ECQ, may we also do the same, take precautions and continue doing our part by following the guidelines set in place.

 

Related articles:

General Community Quarantine Guidelines
General Provisions for ECQ and GCQ areas
Additional Guidelines for Areas Under ECQ
Sectors Allowed to Operate During the ECQ and GCQ