The Inter-Agency Task (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Diseases has allowed children, ages 5 and above, to go outdoors in areas under the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) and general community quarantine (GCQ).
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, who is also the IATF’s spokesman, however, said this does not apply to areas under heightened restrictions.
He said outdoor areas will be limited to parks, playgrounds, beaches, biking, and hiking trails, outdoor tourist sites and attractions as may be defined by the Department of Tourism, outdoor non-contact sports courts and venues, and al-fresco dining establishments in the previously mentioned areas.
Malacañang also clarified that children are not allowed inside malls and similar establishments or inside buildings.
“Children must be supervised by adults and observe minimum public health standards, such as wearing of face masks and social distancing,” the IATF said.
Earlier, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said at least 20 million vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech will be used for children in the 12-to-15 age bracket.
Galvez made the announcement following the signing of the supply agreement for 40 million Pfizer doses to be delivered by the third and fourth quarter.
Galvez, for his part, said the original plan was to allocate as much as 25 million of the Pfizer jabs for 12 to 15 year olds.
“But considering that we are only opening up the vaccination for children like in Europe and also in the United States and Israel, we are anticipating that we have to program or we have to prepare for that,” Galvez said.
Once the government’s expert panel gives a go signal and guidelines have been issued, Galvez said the government would start vaccinating those in the 12 to 15 year old age bracket.
