Public transport protocols under reimposed ECQ

Public transportation will continue in Metro Manila and its nearby provinces, albeit on a limited basis, given the reimposition of an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) this week.

In a virtual briefing on Sunday, Transportation Undersecretary Artemio "Ochie" Tuazon said public transportation will continue to serve authorized persons outside of residence (APOR).

The transportation sector will continue to implement minimum health standards including the wearing of face masks and face shields, among others.

The following protocols will be in place in NCR Plus starting 12:01 a.m. on March 29, until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, April 4, 2021:

Aviation

• There will be no change in the sector, as flights are now only at 30% of the capacity before the ECQ.
• International inbound passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will be capped at 1,500 passengers per day.
• Outbound international travel allowed, no limitations set.

Maritime

• Capacity will be capped at 50%, and passengers will have to comply with requirements imposed by the local government units (LGUs).
• Vessel operations, cargo handling operations, and other related port ancillary services to continue subject to compliance with IATF guidelines.

Railways

• The 20% to 30% capacity will be retained for all rail lines -- 370 per train set for the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (370); 274 per train set for the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT2); 372 per train set for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3); and 310 per train set for the Philippine National Railways (PNR).
• Major rail lines -- MRT3, LRT1, and LRT2 -- will also undergo maintenance for several days during the Holy Week.

Roads

• All public utility vehicles (PUVs) will have a 50% maximum allowable capacity. This covers public utility buses, UV Express Service, public utility jeepneys, shuttle services, tricycles, and taxis and transport network vehicle services.
• Provincial buses allowed to enter borders provided that they operate point-to-point trips.
• Motorcycle taxis allowed, but pillion riding only allowed for APOR.

Transportation officials also clarified that there would be no fare increases in public transport despite the reduced capacity to be implemented amid the ECQ.

Public transport was also exempted from the ECQ curfew, which starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 5 a.m.

Meanwhile, 9,000 police officer will man 1,106 quarantine control points across the NCR Plus areas to enforce travel, curfew, and health protocols.

Metro Manila and nearby provinces -- collectively tagged as NCR Plus -- will be under ECQ starting midnight March 29 until Sunday, April 4, 2021.

Before the announcement of the ECQ, the government banned the non-essential entry and exit into the NCR Plus bubble during the same period. The bubble covers Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Bulacan. — DVM, GMA News