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IATF allows kids to go outdoors, but Negros Occidental, Bacolod yet to decide

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has issued a resolution allowing children who are five years old and above to go to outdoor areas provided they are supervised by adults in places under Modified General Community Quarantine and General Community Quarantine (GCQ).

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said Friday, July 9, that he will consult with the medical community before deciding if Negros Occidental should adopt the measure.

Dr. Chris Sorongon, Bacolod Emergency Operations Center deputy for medical data and analysis, said they just received the IATF resolution that is up for discussion at a meeting with Mayor Evelio Leonardia on Saturday, July 10.

“Most likely we will not adopt it especially since we have increasing (COVID-19) cases” in Bacolod City, he added.

Negros Occidental and Bacolod City are currently under GCQ.

Negros Occidental had 117 new COVID-19 cases and Bacolod City had 78 Friday, the Department of Health reported.

It also said that Negros Occidental has 2,026 active COVID-19 cases and Bacolod City has 1,465.

The IATF-EID Resolution 125 Series of 2021 issued Thursday, July 8, said the local government units concerned may increase the age restriction of children allowed out depending on the COVID-19 situation in their jurisdictions.

The resolution said children five years old and above may be able to go to outdoor areas provided they are accompanied by adults and observe minimum public health standards such as the wearing of face masks and social distancing.

Outdoor areas are those that allow free air movement from all directions and may be covered by a roof, the IATF-EID said.

These include 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 identified areas, it added.

These outdoor areas do not include mixed-use indoor/outdoor buildings, facilities, such as malls and similar establishments, it added.*

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