While Metro Manila remains to be under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until May 15, several areas in the country will have restrictions lifted as they are placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) today May 1.
Among the provinces covered by the GCQ include Palawan, Leyte, Samar, Bohol, Ifugao, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental.
[For the complete list of areas under GCQ, read: General community quarantine, explained]
For these areas, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has set road-based guidelines, effective today.
Public transportation will resume operations at reduced capacity in areas under GCQ. As such, PUVs, terminals and operators must follow guidelines in relation to safety, capacity and coverage/scope.
DOTr’s safety guidelines include mandatory use of face masks and gloves for drivers, as well as implementing a required, thorough disinfection of vehicles and terminals. Disinfection among passengers will also be required.
Meanwhile, under their capacity guidelines, passenger loads have been specified for different types of vehicles to ensure social distancing:
- Public utility buses (PUBs) and public utility jeepneys (PUJs) should not exceed 50 percent of its passenger load, or half of the vehicles capacity
- UV Express and taxis should not exceed two passengers per row, except the driver’s row which should only have one passenger
- Tricycles should not exceed one passenger in the sidecar. Back-riding is prohibited
- Private cars and motorcycles will be allowed, only for essential travel as defined by the Inter-Agency Task Force
- Private cars should only have one passenger in the front passenger seat, while front-facing seats should have only two passengers per row
- Motorcycles are not allowed to have back-ride passengers
- Bicycles are encouraged. LGUs are to identify bike lanes and bike-only roads
Violations of the guidelines by private vehicle owners, PUV drivers and operators, and private and public transport terminal operators will result in sanctions and penalties.
The full summary of guidelines are posted on DOTr’s Facebook page.
Header image courtesy of Grig C. Montegrande/Philppine Daily Inquirer
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Writer: PAULINE MIRANDA
