By Gabriela Baron
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced that it is limiting passengers in all public utility vehicles (PUV) during the month-long quarantine period in Metro Manila as part of its efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The following guidelines shall be adopted to ensure the well-being and safety of the riding public:
* Taxis and Transportation Network Vehicles Services (TNVS) should not have more than four passengers, including driver, one seat apart.
* UV Express should not have more than six passengers, including driver, one seat apart.
* Jeepneys should not have more than half of their regular capacity, including driver, one seat apart.
* Omnibus Franchising Guidelines (OFG)-compliant units (Class 2 and 3) should not have more than one-half of the seating capacity, one seat apart, and without any standing passenger.
* Buses should not have more than 25 passengers including driver and conductor, one seat apart, and without any standing passenger.
* Passenger sea vessels to and from Metro Manila are suspended.
* Trains: around 250 to 300 passengers will be allowed to enter, one-meter social distancing will be implemented; passengers exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or that register 38 degrees centigrade and higher shall be refused entry to stations and trains.
The DOTr is also suspending multiple bookings for a single trip provided by the TNVS and the pilot implementation of motorcycle taxis is likewise suspended.
The Philippine National Railway (PNR) route from Alabang to Calamba, Laguna is also suspended.