Travel guidelines out soon
The IATF has also permitted leisure travel abroad starting 21 October
National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 spokesperson Restituto Padilla on Saturday disclosed that the agency is discussing guidelines that would provide ease in travel between areas with the same or different quarantine classifications.
In a radio interview, Padilla said that the NTF — with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and local government units (LGU) — is expected to release the finalized guidelines anytime soon.
“The DILG and the LGU will finalize today the guidelines for travel to the provinces and remote LGU through commercial transportation via airlines, ferries or buses,” Padilla said.
The Palace on Friday announced that the inter-agency task force has allowed travel between general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ areas to boost the economy.
The easing of the travel restriction also covers those who are excluded from the list of Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APOR).
“The guidelines for the travel pass will be finalized today but from the last resolution yesterday, in interzonal areas — those with different classifications — localized ordinances implemented by the destination LGU will be followed,” said Padilla.
The DILG and the LGU will finalize today the guidelines for travel to the provinces and remote LGU through commercial transportation via airlines, ferries or buses.
He added that aside from permitted movement between GCQ and MGCQ areas, the IATF also made adjustments on age-based stay-at-home restrictions, expanding those allowed to leave their homes to 15 years old up to 65.
Previously, those younger than 21 and older than 60 were barred from going out.
The IATF has also permitted leisure travel abroad starting 21 October.
“I don’t want to preempt the President but based on all indications, and yes, he gave instructions to slowly continue easing up quarantine controls,” Padilla said.
The government, he added, wants the public to have a change in behavior by following minimum health protocols set in place to stop the spread of COVID-19. The past months have shown that majority of people now follow the guidelines.