The Muntinlupa City government has issued guidelines after President Duterte reverted Metro Manila to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) starting August 4 to 18.
Muntinlupa Traffic Management Bureau (MTMB) chief Danidon Nolasco told Manila Bulletin no jeepneys will be allowed to operate in compliance with the rules set by the Department of Transportation (DOTr). Tricycles, however will be allowed to operate under strict sanitary guidelines including the one-passenger policy.
“As to the tricycles, they can continue to operate. Health protocols must be strictly followed and that includes one passenger per tricycle,” Nolasco said.
Nolasco said the odd-even scheme for tricycles will continue. Tricycles with Tricycle Regulatory Unit (TRU) numbers ending in odd numbers will be allowed to operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while those with even number can operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Tricycles also need transparent plastic sheets as partition between the driver and passenger and units should be disinfected and must have alcohol-based sanitizers. Drivers and passengers must also wear face masks at all times.
To augment transportation, the Muntinlupa City government will continue to offer “libreng sakay” to commuters, said spokesperson Tez Navarro. Checkpoints will be set up to regulate flow of vehicles.
Resume operations
Meanwhile, the Muntinlupa City government’s Rescue unit has resumed operations and Emergency Medical Services Sunday (Aug. 2) after a week-long shutdown after its staff contracted the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Muntinlupa City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MCDRRMO) chief Erwin Alfonso said disinfection of ambulances and equipment has been completed.
Muntinlupa Rescue assists the City Health Office in managing and transporting suspect and confirmed COVID-19 cases in addition to assisting people during disasters, accidents, and emergency cases, and taking them to hospitals.
The unit was shut down on July 25 after three employees tested positive for COVID-19 after undergoing reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test. During the shutdown, 26 employees were placed under quarantine and two more staff were confirmed to be COVID-19 positive and isolated.
While the MCDRRMO is awaiting the test results of five remaining employees, the Rescue unit has enough personnel to continue operating, Alfonso said.
Barangay Emergency Response Teams (B.E.R.T) took over the duties of emergency services and transportation of patients during the shutdown.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi said stricter measures and quarantine protocols will be implemented in city government offices.
As of August 2, the Muntinlupa City government recorded 27 new COVID-19 cases bringing the total cases to 1,541 with 745 recoveries and 75 deaths.