THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) may either tighten or relax the transport guidelines for the community quarantine and social distancing protocols, depending on developments in the government’s fight against the dreaded novel coronavirus (Covid-19).
Transportation Assistant Secretary for Communication Goddes Hope O. Libiran said the policy, released Saturday evening, will be subject to daily review and revision, as necessary.
“The guidelines shall be reviewed on a daily basis so as to improve it, or give way to the addition of important inputs, in coordination with concerned agencies, and based on current and existing situation,” she said in a text message.
Under the guidelines, which carry out the pronouncements made by President Duterte on the lockdown of Metro Manila due to the Covid-19 spread in the region, domestic land, air, and sea travel will be temporarily limited within Metro Manila.
The guidelines are to take effect until April 14. Certain exceptions, however, are allowed.
Limited road transport
For instance, provincial employees of companies based in Metro Manila may enter the region provided they show identification cards, as well as pass health screening at borders. They may also use public transport, provided that they alight at the provincial borders and ride an intercity transport mode.
Commuters may also book for ride-hailing services and taxis, provided that no more than four passengers, including the driver, are inside the vehicle. Ride-sharing and motorcycle taxis are temporarily suspended to keep with social distancing protocols.
UV Express services will also be limited to six passengers per unit, while jeepneys can only operate at half their regular capacities. Buses, on the other hand, should have not more than 25 passengers.
Point-to-point (P2P) buses from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) to Clark International Airport and Sangley Airport will be allowed to operate as scheduled.
Further, terminal operators should not allow any person exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms—highly similar to the common flu—to board.
Domestic flights suspended
Meanwhile, local passenger flights, including general aviation, at the Naia are all suspended for a month. International flights will continue, but are limited to countries that are not banned due to the magnitude of their Covid-19 cases.
Passengers of inbound flights may also be quarantined if deemed necessary.
Cargo flights, air ambulance, government and military flights, weather mitigation flights, and maintenance and utility flights will be permitted.
Likewise, local airlines are encouraged to operate sweeper flights out of Manila into other airports.
Social distancing of a meter is also being implemented, while entry of people at the Naia is also limited to passengers and essential personnel.
Fewer people in trains
Train lines are also allowed to operate, but only at 25-percent train capacity in line with the social distancing protocols.
For the government-operated Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3, each train set, which usually carries 1,000 passenger per run, will be reduced to a maximum of 300 passengers per run.
Train station personnel will also regulate the entry of passengers into stations, and will implement measures for orderly and distanced queuing both inside and outside stations. Persons exhibiting signs of Covid-19 will be barred from entry
The women’s and senior citizens’ section of train cars will be further separated, designating a subsection for senior citizens.
The interprovince operations of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) is also suspended during the quarantine period.
Stricter port operations
Meanwhile, ferry services within the National Capital Region will be allowed, but will have a reduced capacity of 50 percent. Domestic inter-island passenger sea transport is now temporarily suspended.
Ships regularly calling in Manila will also have to secure special permits from the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), while cargo trucks and vans are required to secure a cargo entry/withdrawal permit from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
Foreign ships, meanwhile, are subject to customs, immigration, quarantine and security procedures.
Lastly, entry and exit controls in ports are now being identified by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
“We all have to bear the burden, carry personal inconveniences and sacrifices for the common good and our nation’s interest. These protocols are temporary. The deeper we cooperate and unselfishly carry our share, the faster we shall overcome!” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.
Image credits: Nonie Reyes