Transport sector ordered to strictly implement COVID-19 health protocols

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Saturday ordered strict implementation of health protocols in all transport sectors following the increase in COVID-19 infections in the country.

Tugade issued the directive after the National Capital Region (NCR) was placed under Alert Level 3 from January 3 to 15 amid the rising new COVID-19 cases.

“The safety of commuters is paramount. We must make sure that health protocols are strictly implemented in all public transport vehicles and in all transport facilities,” Tugade said in a statement.

The Transportation Secretary called enforcers from the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and train marshals of all railway lines to enforce proper physical distancing inside public transport vehicles and transport terminals.

Tugade also reminded commuters to refrain from talking or eating inside the trains and to wear face masks in public places.

Meanwhile, he also ordered public transport operators to ensure that public utility vehicles are safe and properly disinfected.

In the aviation sector, Tugade asked officials to revisit the existing cap on daily passenger arrivals in main gateways.

“Let us continue to hold our guards up. If there is a need to reduce the cap on passenger arrivals, then let us implement in coordination with concerned agencies,” he said.

Tugade also urged passengers and commuters to be vigilant and report those who will not follow the 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,” he said.

(To the passengers, drivers, and operators, let us all work together. Let us be responsible and disciplined individuals.)

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier said that the highly transmissible Omicron variant may already be responsible for the sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in the Philippines.

The Philippines on Saturday recorded 3,617 new COVID-19 infections at the start of the New Year. — DVM, GMA News