Two drivers were apprehended in Muntinlupa as authorities started implementing the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) “no vaccination, no ride” policy on Monday, Jan. 17.

Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade issued Department Order 2022-001 on Jan. 11 limiting the access to public transportation to fully vaccinated individuals to, from and within the National Capital Region (NCR) under Alert Level 3 or higher.

In Muntinlupa, two jeepney drivers were apprehended as of 8 a.m. on Jan 17 for violation of the policy, which is being implemented by the Muntinlupa Traffic Management Bureau (MTMB) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Authorities will ensure strict compliance with the policy of all public utility vehicle drivers, conductors, and operators of land transportation services.

They will also enforce the 70 percent maximum passenger capacity policy in public transportation.

Under Tugade’s order, the “no vaccination, no ride” policy applies to domestic travel from, to, and within the NCR through public transportation by land, rail, sea, and air. It also covers individuals who reside outside NCR but who work in the region.

The order states that operators of public transportation should only allow access or issue tickets only to fully vaccinated individuals who need to show the physical or digital copy of a local government unit-issued vaccination card, a Department of Health-issued vaccination certificate or any document prescribed by the Inter-Agency Task Force together with a valid government-issued ID with picture and address.

“In general, a person is considered fully vaccinated (i) two (2) weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines; or (ii) two (2) weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine,” according to the DOTr order.

Exempted from the "no vaccination, no ride” police are “persons with medical conditions that prevent full COVID-19 vaccination, as evidenced by a duly signed medical certificate with name and contact details of the physician.”

Also not covered by the policy are “persons who will procure essential goods and services, such as food, water, medicine, medical devices, public utilities, energy, work, and medical and dental necessities, as evidenced by a duly issued barangay health pass or other appropriate proof to support and justify such travel.”