(UPDATED) Effective June 16, 2021, senior citizens who have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) may step out of their homes in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) or modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).
However, they must continue to wear face masks and face shields, observe physical distancing, and avoid crowded areas and enclosed spaces.
They must also carry and be ready to present their Covid-19 vaccination cards based on Resolution No. 120 of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
“The bottomline is that senior citizens who have been fully vaccinated are now allowed to go out. But they must still observe the minimum health protocols,” Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a virtual press conference Friday, June 11, 2021.
To the fully vaccinated senior citizens, Vergeire issued this reminder, “Remember that you can still get infected and you can still transmit the disease.”
A fully vaccinated individual refers to a person who has received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine.
“Let’s limit our interactions when we go out. Just do what you need to do such as exercising in the park. This is good for senior citizens and safe because it’s done in open air. Just don’t do it in crowded areas,” she added.
It has been over a year since the senior citizens, who are at high risk of getting severe Covid-19, were mandated to stay at home. They were allowed to go out only for essential reasons, such as a visit to the doctor or a supply run.
As of June 8, 415,540 senior citizens have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Around 1.2 million more senior citizens have yet to receive their second dose.
There are about 9.5 million senior citizens, or adults who are 60 years old and above, nationwide.
Vergeire called on senior citizens who have not received the vaccine to coordinate with their local government units (LGUs) and get inoculated.
“Get vaccinated to enjoy the incentive of going out of your home to exercise or chat with other fully vaccinated senior citizens,” she said.
Vergeire said the resolution was approved during the IATF meeting Thursday, June 10.
The latest resolution also reiterated that only point-to-point interzonal travel is allowed, as stipulated under Resolution No. 118-A. (Marites Villamor-Ilano / SunStar Philippines)