Cops use meter sticks to enforce social distancing in buses

Several passengers aboard buses were told to get off after operatives of the PNP-Highway Patrol Group (HPG) used meter sticks and found that the prescribed 1-meter physical distancing was not followed.

According to Jun Veneracion’s report on “24 Oras,” tension arose when the drivers failed to immediately follow the directive.

“Mamang driver, paalisin mo na ‘yan dito, pababain mo na. Ire-wrecker ko itong bus mo,” HPG chief Colonel Wilson Doromal said.

PNP-HPG Director Brigadier General Eliseo Cruz clarified the rule on social distancing for public transportation.

“Isang metro 'to, eh pag mag dalawahan, wala na. Kaya dapat lang dito, isa lang dito,” he added.

Physical distancing is imposed in public transport vehicles as part of efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among passengers. 

As the policy was imposed, passengers ended up arguing on who has to disembark as many of them were running late as they were on their way to work.

Some passengers expressed their frustration over the resulting confusion.

“Sana nag announce muna kayo kasi pano yung may mga trabaho po kami… sa tingin mo lalakarin ko hanggang doon,” one passenger said.

Most of the vehicles affected were ordinary buses in which only one passenger per seat could be accommodated to ensure that the 1-meter physical distancing was followed.

“Mali po ang epekto sa namin, apektado po kaming lahat. Kahit po ‘yung mananakay mahihirapan po sila,” a bus conductor said.

The arguments were the result of the recent changes in the physical distancing rule.

The government earlier approved a proposal to reduce social distancing in public transport vehicles from 1 meter to 0.75 meters beginning September 14 and that this could be further reduced to 0.5 meters after two weeks, and to 0.3 meters after another two weeks.

However, Malacanang on Thursday announced that the government has suspended the policy of reducing the 1-meter physical distancing requirement in public transportation vehicles. -- Joahna Lei Casilao/BAP, GMA News