DOTr orders strict health protocols in public transport vehicles, terminals

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Tuesday it has ordered the strict implementation of health protocols inside public transport vehicles and in terminals nationwide amid the recent spike in COVID-19 cases.

In a statement, the DOTr said Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has directed all transport sectors to ensure that their respective enforcers and transport marshals assigned on the streets and in various transportation hubs are strictly enforcing the health protocols and stem the further spread of the virus.

“The safety of commuters is paramount. I am ordering all transport sectors to strictly enforce the health and safety protocols in order to help prevent the spread of COVID,” Tugade said.

The Transportation chief has ordered enforcers from the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and train marshalls to make sure that proper social distancing is being observed inside public transport vehicles and inside transport terminals, according to the DOTr.

It added that enforcers and marshals have been ordered to make sure that commuters entering terminals and boarding public transport are also using masks and face shields.

Transport marshals have also been ordered to remind commuters not to talk or eat while inside the trains.

“Huwag tayong maging kampante. Ang virus ay nandito pa rin, kaya ugaliin pa rin natin na magsuot ng face masks at face shields lalo na sa loob ng pampublikong transportasyon. Huwag makipagusap o kumain habang nasa loob ng sasakyan. Sundin din natin ang tamang physical distancing,” Tugade said.

The Transport chief also ordered public transport operators to ensure that their vehicles are safe and are properly disinfected.

“Ugaliing i-disinfect ng madalas ang inyong mga sasakyan. Panatilihing strikto ang pagpapatupad ng mga protocols sa loob ng mga istasyon at terminal. Alalahanin po ninyo na kayo ang kapitan ng inyong mga minamanehong sasakyan. Kalakip nyan ang responsibilidad na protektahan ang buhay, kaligtasan at kalusugan ng inyong mga pasahero,” he said.

And as enforcers and transport marshals cannot be on the lookout all the time, the DOTr is encouraging commuters to be vigilant against those who will be breaking health protocols.

“We need everyone’s cooperation. We cannot do this alone. Sa mga pasahero, drayber, at operator, magtulungan po tayong lahat. Maging responsable tayo at maging disiplinado,” Tugade said.

The number of new COVID-19 cases breached 3,000 in recent days, with OCTA Research reporting that the reproduction number in the National Capital Region may have already risen to 1.8. The reproduction number is the expected number of new infections an infected individual may cause in a population where everyone is susceptible. — BM, GMA News