AMID the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in the country, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade has ordered the implementation of strict health protocols in all transport sectors.
“The safety of commuters is paramount. We must make sure that health protocols are strictly implemented in all public transport vehicles and in all transport facilities,” said Tugade.
“I am ordering all transport sectors to strictly enforce the health and safety protocols in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Secretary Tugade added.
Tugade made the call as the alert level status in Metro Manila is raised anew from the current Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 3 from Jan. 3 to 15, 2022 as the country recorded a continued rise in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections.
Under Alert Level 3, intrazonal and interzonal movement are still allowed, however, reasonable restrictions may be imposed by local government units.
As part of the implementation of health protocols, Secretary Tugade has ordered enforcers from the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and train marshals of all railway lines to make sure that proper physical distancing is being observed inside public transport vehicles and inside transport terminals.
Enforcers and marshals have also been ordered to make sure that commuters entering terminals and boarding public transport are also using face masks. Transport marshals have also been ordered to remind commuters not to talk or eat while inside the trains.
“Huwag tayong maging kampante. Ang virus ay nandito pa rin, kaya ugaliin pa rin natin na magsuot ng face masks lalo na sa loob ng pampublikong transportasyon. Huwag makipagusap o kumain habang nasa loob ng sasakyan. Sundin din natin ang tamang physical distancing,” said Secretary Tugade.
Secretary Tugade also ordered public transport operators to ensure that their vehicles are safe and are properly disinfected.
“Ugaliing i-disinfect ng madalas ang inyong mga sasakyan. Panatilihing strikto ang pagpapatupad ng mga protocols sa loob ng mga istasyon at terminal. Alalahanin po ninyo na kayo ang kapitan ng inyong mga minamanehong sasakyan. Kalakip nyan ang responsibilidad na protektahan ang buhay, kaligtasan at kalusugan ng inyong mga pasahero,” Tugade said
