The one-meter social distancing rule for public utility vehicles (PUV) will remain for now coupled with additional precautionary measures.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said President Rodrigo R. Duterte finally ended the debate whether the current physical distancing rule will be reduced to 0.75 meter or not.
He said the President decided on the issue on Friday after studying the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) on the matter.
“The decision of the President is to maintain the one-meter social distancing in public transportation,” Roque said in an interview with PTV on Saturday.
Additional restrictions
He said Duterte decided to approve the proposal of the IATF to also implement a “no talking and eating policy” in PUVs, which experts said could further prevent the spread of novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) especially in enclosed spaces.
The policy to reduce physical distancing for passengers inside PUVs was initially approved by the IATF last week. It decided review the policy after it drew considerable public opposition.
The IATF submitted its new recommendation to Duterte on Thursday after several days of consultations and deliberations.
One group is pushing to reduce the physical distancing, so PUVs could carry more passengers and help in the resumption of more businesses.
The other faction is advocating that the 1-meter rule in PUV since lowering it, they claimed could lead to an increase of infections
Roque earlier said Duterte was expected to announce his decision on the matter on Monday during his next public address.
Image credits: AP/Aaron Favila