Ingat buhay para sa hanapbuhay
Our meeting in the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) last Thursday, 15 October, paved the way for the more gradual reopening of the local economy.
First among these is the adjustment in the age of persons that will be allowed to go out under community quarantine restrictions. Young people ages 15 to 20 and seniors 60 to 65 are now allowed to be out as well. However, local government units (LGU) may impose a higher age limit for minors depending on the situation in their areas.
To allow movement of more people, non-Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR) are also now allowed to travel interzonal or between areas placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).
Interzonal movement of non-APOR for any purpose is now permitted, but still subject to reasonable regulations imposed by concerned LGU. The same applies with intrazonal movement across GCQ and MGCQ areas and in the interzonal movement of non-APOR between areas placed under MGCQ and the “new normal.”
Regarding curfews, LGU are enjoined not to cover workers, APOR and permitted establishments in curfew ordinances. The IATF likewise asked LGU to coordinate between and among each other to standardize curfew rules and to relax curfew hours.
Still part of the gradual reopening of the economy, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will be adjusting the allowed on-site operational capacities of all business establishments and/or activities under GCQ or lower.
To encourage more consumer and economic activity, business establishments and malls may now hold activities to attract more consumers, subject to DTI guidelines in the operations of establishments and shopping malls.
On tourism, the IATF, in the same meeting, revised the required 48-hour before travel RT-PCR requirement to those who will be traveling to Boracay to 72 hours prior to date of travel.
Similarly, the IATF now allows non-essential outbound travel of Filipinos effective 21 October 2020. This means that Filipinos may now be allowed to leave the country as long as they have confirmed roundtrip tickets and adequate travel and health insurance for those traveling on tourist visas.
All exiting Filipinos will also be asked to execute an immigration declaration acknowledging the risks involved in traveling, and a negative antigen result taken within 24 hours before departure, subject to Department of Health guidelines.
Also part of the gradual opening of the economy is that previously disallowed activities like off-track horse race betting and cockfighting are now allowed. Off-track horse race betting stations under GCQ or lower will now be allowed to operate, as well as licensed cockpits and the conduct of cockfighting activities in areas under MGCQ or lower.
With all these developments, it is understandable that some may have apprehensions as to how these may affect the rise of new infections and the possible increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.
But as I often say, ingat buhay para sa hanapbuhay
(We must stay safe for the economy).
To be able to revitalize the economy, we must learn to live with the virus around by taking the necessary precautions and maintaining the minimum health standards so we can participate in reviving the economy to help provide jobs and livelihood and to help secure a comfortable life for all Filipinos.
“It is understandable that some may have apprehensions as to how these may affect the rise of new infections and the possible increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.
“Interzonal movement of non-APOR for any purpose is now permitted, but still subject to reasonable regulations imposed by concerned LGU.