DTI Says Senior Citizens Allowed To Buy Essential Items Amid Quarantine
SENIOR CITIZENS – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said senior citizens are allowed to buy essential items amid quarantine.
Older adults and people who have a serious underlying condition are at high risk for 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) barred senior citizens who are living under “general community quarantine” and “enhanced community quarantine” areas from leaving their homes.
In a previous article, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced the government now allows masses and essential works in areas that are under GCQ but ‘physical distancing’ should still be observed.
Lots of people including politicians and celebrities reacted to ITAF’s move. ‘King of Talk’ Boy Abunda asked the agency to reconsider their ‘house arrest’ rule.
The Kapamilya host who is also a senior citizen said they should rethink the resolution because there are lots of businessmen in the country who are senior citizens. He said “they’re marginalizing a big part of the population, lalo na yung 60 to 65 years old… maganda yung intent ng panukala, pero ang pananaw ko, there’s a big chunk of healthy seniors.”
Based on a report from Manila Bulletin, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez clarified that the IATF has no intention of placing the elderly people under “house arrest” in areas under COVID-19 quarantine. He said they just have to bring their IDs with them to facilitate their movements outside their homes.
According to the report, Lopez said senior citizens are now allowed to get to their workplace, buy essential items, and medical checkups during the quarantine period. The ITAF is expected to release the appropriate guidelines soon.
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