Commuters shove way to buses, UVs on first Monday of Alert Level 2 in NCR

Commuters on Monday scrambled along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City to get a seat on buses and UV Express vans to get to work.

This as restrictions were relaxed in Metro Manila after it was placed on Alert Level 2 on November 5, with more businesses reopened.

According to Jun Veneracion's "24 Oras" report, workers ignored social distancing whenever a UV Express passed by looking for passengers. Even with a 70% passenger capacity limit for public utility vehicles, desperate workers ignored physical distancing.

"Bahala na po yan. Wala ng social distancing saka okay ng tao, parang wala ng COVID-19," a lady commuter said.

(It's up to them. There is no social distancing and people are okay, it seems there is no more virus.)

Some workers who were running late chose to ride taxis instead even if the fare was more expensive.

"Magta-taxi na lang po. Wala na po magagawa, late na," another commuter said.

(We had to take a taxi. There's nothing for it,  we're late.)

At North Edsa, some commuters taking the Edsa Carousel Busway were thankful for the free ride but they complained of long queues.

The government last week lowered the quarantine status in Metro Manila from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2 from November 5, 2021 to November 21, 2021.

Under Alert Level 2, intrazonal and interzonal travel is allowed subject to reasonable restrictions based on age and comorbidities, as may be determined by local government units. — Consuelo Marquez/DVM, GMA News