The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) is expected to resume limited operations once there will be sufficient personnel cleared of the new coronavirus disease.

(Mark Balmores / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has approved the temporary suspension of MRT-3 operations pending the coronavirus testing of personnel and disinfection of the facilities.
The latest IATF Resolution No. 52 was issued during a meeting of task force members via video conference last Monday, July 6.
"Operations of the MRT-3 shall be temporarily suspended for approximately 5 days beginning 07 July 2020 or until Reverse Transcription - Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing confirms negative a sufficient number of personnel to resume at least limited operations," the IATF resolution read.
The IATF said the disinfection of facilities and RT-PCR testing of MRT-3 personnel by the Philippine Coast Guard must be prioritized.
The railway operations have been halted by the government after several personnel reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus
More buses will also be deployed along EDSA, meantime, to help transport commuters during the MRT-3 suspension, according to the IATF.
Citing information from the Department of Transportation, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said 90 bus units will be deployed with a fixed dispatching interval of every three minutes under the MRT-3 bus augmentation program.
Another 190 business will be deployed for the EDSA busway service to bring passengers between Monumento to Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).
Roque said shuttle services or mini buses will be allowed to pick up and drop off passengers at the curbside in the mini loop between Timog Avenue and Ortigas.