PUVs to operate with half of capacity, other proposed transport rules under GCQ

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has submitted to the Inter-Agency Task Force its proposed operation protocols for public transportation under the enhanced community quarantine and the general community quarantine.

"For ECQ, public transportation will remain suspended. Only transport for health workers and essential personnel are allowed," Transportation Undersecretary Artemio Tuazon said in a live briefing.

"In contrast, under GCQ, there will be a gradual reopening of certain activities in the economy,"  he added.

"This will necessitate the gradual opening and operation also of public transportation at a reduced capacity and in accordance with the guidelines set by the DOTR at following the protocols [...] by the Department of Health," Tuason said.

Proposed guidelines for vehicles under GCQ: 

• Drivers, conductors, commuters in public transportation will be required to wear face masks in order to be allowed to board public utility vehicles (PUVs)
• Use of automatic fare collection is encouraged to limit contact
• If automatic fare collection is not possible, commuters will be required to pay before boarding the vehicle
• PUVs and public buses will be with thermal scanners where passengers with mild fever will not be allowed to board
• Foot disinfectants will be provided in public buses and public transport systems that have spaces to accommodate them
• Regular disinfecting of PUVs, before and after every trip
• Driver area will be sealed off from the passenger area with non-permeable materials
• PUVs, PUJs, and shuttle services will be allowed to operate with a 50 percent capacity
• UV expresses will have a maximum of two passenger capacity per row
• Taxis will have a maximum of two passengers
• Drivers, conductors will be regularly checked for symptoms where those with symptoms will not be allowed to operate
• P2P and provincial-city buses will be required to maintain a passenger manifest for contact tracing purposes
• Only the front passenger and a maximum of two passengers in the back will be allowed for private vehicles

Meanwhile, airports and seaports will continue to operate to allow the unhampered flow of goods, cargo, and essential personnel.

Tuazon said that the guidelines such as the mandatory face mask, sanitation, and the social distancing measures, will apply for terminals.

Guidelines for airport terminals under GCQ:

• All airport employees will be required to wear protective personal equipment
• The mandatory wearing of face masks for all people entering the terminals
• Only individuals with travel documents will be allowed entrance
• COVID-19 rapid testing facilities will be put up in airports
• Regular disinfecting will be conducted
• Airline procedure shall follow strict health protocols
• All deporting and arriving passengers will be required to electronically fill in health declaration and passenger locator forms for contact tracing
• The DOTr will also be encouraging the usage of bicycles.

"We will be encouraging the use of bicycles and personal mobility devices para sa ating mga mamayan [...] para po ma-prevent natin 'yung pag-laganap ng various." Tuazon said. -NB, GMA News