PH government officials stated that senior citizens or those from 60 are not under any house arrest and will be allowed to leave their homes to purchase essentials or if they wish to seek government aid during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque stated that many senior citizens called up their hotlines to clarify rumours about the apparent house arrest.
“Napakaraming tumawag na lola, lola, ikukulong raw ang senior citizens. Hindi po totoo ‘yan. Ang Presidente po natin at karamihan ng Cabinet members ay senior citizens rin,” said Secretary Roque.
However, the presidential spokesperson also stressed that senior citizens need to stay home whenever possible, especially those whose health is at a higher risk: “Dapat po manatili sila sa bahay, lalo na po iyong immunocompromised, may co-morbities…except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining essential goods and service or for work in permitted industries and offices.”
Authorities stated that senior citizens who are currently working or are running businesses will be allowed to head to their respective destinations with the use of the ID system. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez affirmed that senior citizens can move freely, but that they should take extra care when heading outside considering that they are part of the vulnerable sector.
“The senior citizens are not under house arrest. This is just a policy presented to us due to the vulnerability of the age segment, especially during the quarantine period. The senior citizens who are actively working, running businesses, are allowed to go to work. We will use the ID system,” said Lopez.
