Año: No resumption of public transpo in NCR, other areas still under ECQ

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Friday there is no possibility that public transportation will resume operations in Metro Manila and other areas where the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) remains imposed until May 15.

"Wala. Dito sa ECQ wala, and we will be stricter in our ECQ," Año said at a Malacanang press briefing, explaining that a stricter implementation will help slow down the transmission of COVID-19 and help authorities prepare healthcare facilities.

President Rodrigo Duterte has extended the ECQ in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, and CALABARZON to May 15. Several other provinces will likewise stay under ECQ but their quarantine status may change by April 30.

Regions, provinces, and areas considered to be moderate- and low-risk in the spread of COVID-19 will be placed under a downgraded quarantine called a general community quarantine (GCQ) starting May 1.

For areas under GCQ, public transportation may operate at a reduced capacity in accordance with guidelines that will be imposed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade earlier said authorities were looking into allowing the resumption of public transportation at 30% capacity.

"Definitely talagang dito sa GCQ kailangan ay magkaroon na tayo ng mga mass transport diyan. Alin at kung papano ang reconfiguration, antayin po natin sa DOTr," Año said at the Palace briefing.

He said the initial recommendation he has seen provides for the resumption of operations of taxis and buses but not jeepneys as jeepney rides sit opposite each other.

Other than the partial resumption of public transportation in places under GCQ, certain categories of workers are allowed to work in phases, the general population may go out of their homes to buy basic necessities, non-leisure stores in malls and shopping centers may partially open, and priority and essential construction projects may resume in accordance with guidelines.

However, people below aged 21 and below and 60 and above, as well as those "who reside with co-morbidities or other risk factors" must still stay home. --KBK, GMA News