Children aged 10-14 to be accompanied by parents in MGCQ areas starting Feb 1

Starting February 1, parents or guardians must accompany children aged 10 to 14 when they go out in modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) areas.

This new policy comes after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) expanded the age range of individuals allowed outside for non-essential activities.

Previously, only individuals aged 15 to 65 years old were permitted to leave their homes under current IATF rules.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles clarified that a new resolution will be issued to ensure parental supervision for younger children going out.

Nograles stated that 10-year-old children are deemed mature enough to comprehend and follow health and safety protocols like wearing masks, face shields, handwashing, and maintaining physical distance.