MALACANANG announced today that fully vaccinated senior citizens are now allowed to leave their homes even for non-essential activities in areas under relaxed community quarantine classifications,
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an announcement that the new policy means that fully-vaccinated senior above 65 years old will see an end to their 15-month long home confinement.
“The IATF likewise allowed the movement of fully vaccinated senior citizens in areas under general community quarantine and modified general community quarantine, subject to presentation of a duly issued COVID-19 vaccination card and strict observance of the minimum public health standards,” Roque said.
Roque, however, clarified that when an area is placed under the stricter enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and modified ECQ (MECQ), fully-vaccinated seniors would still have to stay at home – unless they’re going out for essential activities or emergencies.
Interestingly, elderlies would still have to wear masks and face shields, observe social distancing, and avoid crowded or poorly-ventilated places.
When asked as to whether or not fully vaccinated elders may travel, the Palace spokesperson said that even fully-vaccinated senior citizens cannot travel to an area under a different quarantine classification, termed as “interzonal travel” by the government.
“The movement of fully-vaccinated seniors is, however, limited to travel within their zone as interzonal travel is still prohibited, except for point-to-point travel that was previously allowed,” said Roque.
In trying to make things clearer, Roque explained that fully-vaccinated elderly who live in Metro Manila can take a trip to Rizal or other places in “NCR Plus” since this entire geographic area is under the same GCQ classification.