By Alexandria San Juan The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has issued guidelines regarding the enforcement of "social distancing" measures in the public transport systems in Metro Manila, such as imposing passenger limit and "no-standing" policy in trains and buses during the entire period of the community quarantine in the capital region. The measures are aimed to stop the spread of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In a press conference in Pasay City on Saturday, transport officials said the guidelines aimed to restrict the "non-essential entry and exit" of people to the contained areas except health workers, authorized government officials, those travelling for humanitarian reasons, essential skeletal workforces, among others. Road sector For the road sector, Land Transportation Office (LTO) Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante said all public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers are directed to observe a passenger limit through a "one-seat apart" policy. Passenger limit Under the guidelines, Galvante said that taxis, ride-hailing units, as well as airport taxis are only allowed to ferry a maximum of four passengers including the driver, one seat apart. "For UV Express, should not be more than six passengers; old and omnibus franchising guidelines compliant jeepneys should not be more than half of their regular capacity; while public utility buses should not be more than 25 passengers including the driver," Galvante said. Apart from the one-seat-apart-rule, Galvante also pointed out that there is strictly no standing passengers inside modernized jeepney units, as well as public buses. Under the same guidelines, the DOTr also prohibits carpooling or multiple bookings for a single trip during the entire community quarantine, while the pilot implementation of motorcycle taxis are also suspended. "Bring IDs" Transport officials also encouraged passengers travelling to and out of Metro Manila to always bring company and government-issued identification cards to be allowed to enter the region. President Duterte, in a public address over the week, announced that "land, domestic air, and domestic sea travel to and from Metro Manila shall be suspended beginning 12 a.m. of March 15, until 11:59 p.m. of April 14." However, in the guidelines released by the transportation department, passengers going in and out of Metro Manila may be allowed provided they will be able to present valid IDs showing their place of work and residence. Rail sector For the part of the rail sector, Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) director Michael Capati emphasized that all train systems, including LRT Lines 1 and 2, "shall be loaded at reduced capacity to reduce the concentration of passengers per train. Less passengers in trains Passenger concentration will also be observed inside the station including platforms, concourses, and elevators, while an orderly and distanced queuing both inside and outside stations should be implemented, Capati added. A no-standing policy will also be implemented inside all trains, he said. With this, Capati appealed for understanding from train commuters as the railway lines' capacity will be reduced by at least 25 percent and result in longer lines. One-meter social distancing "We will implement a one-meter social distancing din sa tren at saka sa station platform natin. Yung dating kinakarga na 1,000 plus , it will be reduced to around 250 to 300 maximum passengers a day," the MRT-3 director explained. "This means malaki po ang inconvenience sa mga pasahero kaya ngayon pa lang ay humihingi na kami ng dispensa, dahil bukod sa linya kung saan sila ay pumipila, hanggang sa platform ay ililimit muna namin ang pasok ng kada pasahero at pati pagsakay sa tren (This means a big inconvenience to the passengers. That’s why we are already asking for your understanding and patience)," he added. Meanwhile, operations of the Philippine National Railway from Alabang to Calamba and vice versa will be also suspended during the period of community quarantine. Apart from these measures, Transportation Assistant Secretary Ochie Tuazon said that persons with symptoms of the COVID-19 such as those with a body temperature of 38 degrees Celsius and above will be barred from entering transport terminals, as well as train stations. In such cases, Tuazon said, there will be station personnel that should observe guidelines of the Department of Health (DOH) on COVID-19 response procedures. All stations under the road and rail sectors were also directed to disinfect and sanitize terminals and units regularly. PUV drivers and conductors, as well as train frontliners, were also required to wear appropriate face masks. Sanctions With these guidelines already in place, Galvante appealed to all PUV operators and drivers to follow the directives in a bid to contain the dreaded disease for everyone's welfare. But should they refuse to follow these protocols, Galvante warned that they would face corresponding sanctions. "Nakikiusap po kami na kayo ay sumunod pero kung mag-iinsist sila na hindi susunod ay aarestuhin po sila. Kung ano ang corresponding sanctions under the rules and regulation of traffic, yun ang ipapataw sa kanila. Kung may nature of criminal violation, then a corresponding case can be filed against them (We are requesting that all will follow the rules. But if there’s one who will insist on not following it, he or she will be arrested to face corresponding sanctions. If the person commits a criminal violation, then a corresponding case will be filed against him)," he added. Tuazon further asked the public to bear with the "abnormal protocol" in these "abnormal times," for the benefit of everyone. "Kailangan po ng sakripisyo para mapanatili ang health and well-being ng lahat (There is need to sacrifice so for good health and well-being of all.). Definitely there will be inconvenience but these are abnormal times," he said. "Sa ngayon, hindi natin consideration ang comfort and convenience in public transport katulad dati. Ngayon, ang consideration natin ay ma-prevent ang spread ng virus (So now our consideration is not for the comfort and convenience of the public transport like before. Now, it it is for the prevention of the spread of the virus)," Tuazon emphasized. These guidelines, according to the DOTr, will be in effect during the entire period of the community quarantine in Metro Manila from March 15 to April 14.