Fully vaccinated senior citizens should still strictly adhere to the health protocols after the government has allowed those under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ to leave their homes.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that fully vaccinated senior citizens must still wear a face mask and face shield, practice physical distancing, avoid crowded places, among others.

“Kayo po ay pinapayagan pero kailangan mag-iingat po kayo. Kayo ay kailangan susunod pa rin sa minimum health protocols para hindi po tayo nagkakaroon pa ng infection (You are allowed but you have to be careful. You still need to follow the minimum health protocols so that you don't get an infection),” said Vergeire on Friday, June 11.

Vergeire said that the policy will be effective on Wednesday, June 16.

The Health official said that fully vaccinated individuals could still develop a mild case if exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.

“Atin pong limitahan ang ating interaction kapag tayo ay nasa labas. Gawin lamang ang dapat nating gawin (Let's limit our interaction when we are outside. Just do what we have to do),” she said.

“Tandaan natin, maari pa rin po kayong magkasakit at maari pa rin po kayong makapanghawa (Let's remember, you can still get sick and you can still infect others ),” she added.

Vergeire encouraged other senior citizens to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

“Nanawagan din po kami sa ibang senior citizens na hindi pa po nababakunahan, magpabakuna na po tayo para ma-enjoy niyo rin po yung incentive na pwede po kayong lumabas (We also called on other senior citizens who have not been vaccinated, let's get vaccinated so that you can also enjoy the incentive of going outside),” she said.