Non-APORs allowed to fetch essential workers during NCR ECQ —Eleazar

Essential workers will be allowed to be fetched by people who are not considered authorized persons outside residence, or non-APORs,
when the enhanced community quarantine is enforced in Metro Manila, Philippine National Police chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar said Thursday.

"Ngayon po ay ia-allow na itong mga non-APOR na magmaneho, maghatid-sundo hindi lamang sa healthcare workers kundi pati na rin po sa iba pang worker APOR natin," he told Dobol B TV.

Essential workers are those working in permitted industries under ECQ like restaurants, supermarkets and banks, among others.

Eleazar said non-APORs have to present a certificate of employment of the worker APOR and a copy of the business permit of the employer.

Aside from these, non-APORs should also have another certification from the worker APOR's employer indicating the fetcher’s name, contact number, and the details of the vehicle as well as the contact number of the employer and the worker APOR, he added.

Eleazar said the initial policy of barring non-APORs from fetching worker APORs was adjusted with the blessing of Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and the National Task Force Against COVID-19.

Eleazar, who drew flak on Wednesday over a policy barring non-APORs from fetching APORs from their workplaces, made the clarification on the eve of a two-week enhanced community quarantine in the National Capital Region (NCR) when only essential travels and businesses will be allowed.

The Commission on Human Rights had earlier said the PNP's policy on non-APORs fetching APORs should be reviewed.

In a statement issued shortly after Eleazar announced the policy on Wednesday, the CHR said the plan to ban the practice of fetching APORs to and from their workplaces "jeopardizes [the APORs'] ability to carry out their crucial roles in combatting the pandemic" and "exposes them to higher risk of infection as there is no guarantee that there are enough public utility vehicles available during ECQ."

"While the CHR fully understands the government’s move to manage the surge of infection brought about by the COVID Delta variant, APORs, including medical frontline workers and those working in essential establishments, such as restaurants, supermarkets, and banks among others, should not be deprived access to a safe way of commuting," it said.

NCR will be under ECQ from August 6 to 20 in an effort to address the possible spread of the Delta coronavirus variant.  —KBK, GMA News