15-below and 65-above can only go out for essential activities: Davao COVID-19 TF

The Davao COVID-19 Task Force has reiterated anew that children 15 years old and below and seniors 65-above are still not allowed to go out of their homes unless accessing food and other essential activities only.

This, in the wake of the Alert Level 3 status in the city from October 20-31, 2021.

Davao COVID-19 Task Force Spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser, during the Bida Bakunado program over 78.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR), said, “As long as non-essential activities, dili gihapon nato ginapagawas ang 15-below or 65-above senior citizens (we still do not allow the 15-below and 65-above to go out).”

In cases when those belonging to these age groups go to malls for a check-up in clinics or eat in restaurants, she said it is allowed as it concerns their health and nurturing their bodies.

But Dr. Schlosser said if after eating or check-up, the minors and seniors enter the grocery, department store, or a toy store, that is no longer essential and therefore prohibited.

She urged mall police to be always on alert in monitoring such activities.

In a recent meeting between the task force and malls and restaurant representatives,  the city health official said, “I think it was clarified to them that essential activity ra allowed sa mga bata og seniors (that only essential activities are allowed for children and seniors).”

She also said that with the Alert Level 3, cinemas, as well tourist attractions, amusement parks, internet cafes, and billiard halls, should have already been allowed.

But in Davao City, these are considered high-risk activities and are therefore, still not allowed. If and when cinemas and internet cafes reopen, Dr. Schlosser said children and seniors can still not avail of them because these are non-essential activities. Only adults can avail of them, depending on the allowable limit of the venue as provided by DTI guidelines. “As of the moment, wala pa nato gina-allow (we still do not allow it),” she said.

Although the national government has allowed such activities under Alert Level 3 based on the Department of Health guidelines, the doctor said the local government unit (LGU) of Davao City deems it not applicable in the city so it will not be implemented yet.

Outdoor exercises are also allowed for 15-below and 65-above as long as they continue to adhere to minimum public health standards (MPHS) such as wearing of face mask and social distancing. CIO