Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 30) — The government has decided to ease the rules on the movement of the elderly during the community quarantine following a public outcry over the severe restrictions.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday said the government has decided to allow those under 21 years old, 60 years old and above, pregnant women, and those with high health risk to go out of their houses for essential errands or to go to work.
“Mga lolo at lola, hindi naman po kayo completely kulong, pero uulitin ko po, sa pag-aaral especially vulnerable po ang mga elderly. Pwede lang po kayong lumabas para kumuha ng essential goods and services o para magtrabaho sa pinapayagang industrya,” he said in a public briefing.
[Translation: To the elderly, you won’t be restrained from leaving your house. But let me remind you that you are vulnerable to contracting COVID-19. You are now allowed to go out for essential goods and services or go to work.]
On April 24, President Rodrigo Duterte approved the measure to bar these vulnerable sectors from leaving their homes regardless of whether their area is under general or enhanced community quarantine.
People who violate quarantine rules are arrested by the police without being meted a warning first, so the earlier decision on the elderly was met with great disapproval.
Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who is 71, said the initial guideline was “downright insensitive and irrational.”
Roque admitted to receiving criticisms himself.
“Huwag na pong magrebolusyon ang mga lolo’t lola dahil ang Presidente natin ay senior din,” he quipped.
[Translation: Do not be mad, because even our own President is a senior citizen.]
Varying degrees of quarantine restrictions will be imposed nationwide from May 1 to 15 to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in the Philippines.
This is the second extension of the enhanced community quarantine. Duterte originally scheduled the Luzon-wide quarantine to last only until April 12, but eventually decided to extend it until April 30, and subsequently until May 15.
