Children can now go outdoors in areas with low community quarantine classifications under a new Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) issuance.
In a news statement issued on Friday, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the new IATF policy will apply to those ages five and above in areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) and general community quarantine (GCQ), except those under heightened restrictions.
The Palace official said local government units (LGU) would be given the discretion to increase the age restriction in their respective jurisdiction.
“Children must be supervised by adults and observe minimum public health standards, such as wearing of face masks and social distancing,” Roque said.
He said children will be limited to the following outdoor areas: 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.
Roque noted children would still not be allowed in mixed-use indoor/outdoor buildings and facilities such as malls and similar establishments.
To recall, the government banned children from leaving their homes since the Covid-19 pandemic started last year.