DOTr releases social distancing measures vs covid spread

The Department of Transportation releases guidelines for the management of Covid 19 in the Philippines.

Pursuant to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease Resolution No. 12 series of 2020 dated 13 March 2020, the following general guidelines shall be adopted in line with the implementation of community quarantine in the National Capital Region, to ensure the well-being and safety of the riding public.

1. Restrict the non-essential entry of people to the contained areas, especially persons who are at high risk of being infected like those 60 years old and above, those who are immunocompromised or co-morbidities and pregnant women,

Exceptions: (1) health workers (2) authorized government officials (3) those traveling for humanitarian reasons, (4) persons transiting to the airport for travel abroad, (5) persons providing basic services and public utilities, and (6) essential skeletal workforce.

2. Prevent the non-essential exit of people out of the contained area, except (1) health workers (2) authorized government officials (3) those traveling for humanitarian reasons (4) those who were granted entry based on the above-mentioned provisions.

3. Implement social distancing and other precautionary measures to prevent further transmission of the virus.

II. SECTORAL GUIDELINES

A. ROAD SECTOR

1. All Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Operators and drivers shall observe the following passenger limit:

• For Taxis/Transportation Network Vehicle Services (TNVS), including accredited airport taxis, should not be more than four (4) passengers including the driver, one seat apart;

• For UV Express, should not be more than six (6) passengers including the driver, one seat apart;

• For old units of Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJS), should not be more than half of their regular capacity including the driver, one seat apart;

• For Omnibus Franchising Guidelines (OFG) compliant units (Class 2 and 3). should not be more than one- half (1/2) of the seating capacity, one seat apart and without any standing passenger;

• For PUBS, should not be more the twenty-five (25) passengers Including driver and conductor, one seat apart, and without any standing passenger.

2. Multiple bookings for a single trip provided by the Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) and the pilot implementation of Motorcycle Taxi shall be suspended/prohibited.

3. All Operators are also directed to inform/educate their drivers and conductors to be observant of their passengers during travel. Should any of their passengers manifest any symptoms of the COVID-19, they shall assist the said person to the nearest hospital and to report the incident to the Department of Health (DOH) or the Philippine National Police (PNP) for proper handling. All PUV drivers and conductors are also required to cooperate and observe DOH and PNP protocols/procedures.

4. All Terminal Operators shall not allow any person to enter their terminal premises if said person manifests any of the symptoms for COVID-19 such as those with 38 degrees Centigrade or higher body temperature, severe coughing or breathing difficulty.

5. Provincial buses, and inter-regional trips of jeepneys and UV Express, to and from Metro Manila shall be terminated on the entry points as identified by the PNP. For ALL PUVS entering and exiting Metro Manila, drivers and conductors shall remind all passengers to be ready to present valid company ID (showing the place of work) and government-issued ID (showing the place of residence), pursuant to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) or PNP procedures and protocols at all entry/exit points. All PUV drivers and conductors are also required to cooperate and strictly observe DOH and PNP protocols/procedures.

6. Point-to-Point (P2P) Buses from Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Clark International Airport and Sangley Airport shall be allowed to operate as scheduled, subject to DOH and PNP protocols/procedures.

7. The following measures, first implemented following the DOH’s confirmation of the first local COVID-19 case, shall continue to be implemented:

• All PUV drivers and conductors to properly wear masks at all times while on duty:
• All public transport and terminal operators to ensure and maintain proper sanitation and cleanliness of the PUV fleets and their premises on a daily basis and to provide disinfectants or sanitizers dispensers, for the free use of passengers.
• Posting of periodic announcements and precautionary reminders in strategic-locations that could help prevent transmission of the virus;

8. All PUV and terminal operators are encouraged to take other measures necessary to reduce the risk of transmission in public transportations.

B. RAIL SECTOR

1. Trains shall be loaded at reduced capacity” to reduce the concentration of passengers per train. Station personnel shall regulate the entry of passengers from station platforms to trains.

2. Passenger concentration in station platforms, concourses, and elevators shall be reduced. Station personnel shall regulate the entry of passengers into stations and shall implement measures for orderly and distanced queuing both inside and outside stations.

* It is noted that the above measures will lower our railway tines’ capacity and result in longer queues. We appeal to our passengers’ understanding as these public health measures are implemented to manage the current Public Health Emergency. Operating hours may be extended on a case-to-case basis to accommodate passengers who are already in queues.

** Pursuant to IATFand DOTr guidelines implementing 1-meter social distancing trains and station platform capacity shall be reduced to 25%.

3. Passengers exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or that register 38’degrees centigrade and above body temperature pursuant to DOH guidelines shall be refused entry to stations and trains. In such cases, the concerned station personnel shall observe DOH guidelines on COVID-19 response procedures.

4. The women’s and senior citizens section of train cars will be further separated, designating a subsection for senior citizens

5. PNR Operations from Alabang to Calamba and vice versa shall be suspended during the period of community quarantine.

6. The following measures, first implemented following the DOH’s confirmation of the first local COVID-19 case, shall continue to be implemented:

• Placement in strategic areas of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and ensuring the availability of hand wash soap in all toilets.
• Disinfection of train interiors and station premises, particularly frequently touched surfaces that are exposed to the public. Trains will be disinfected at least every loop (e.g, every time a train reaches its end- stations).
• Wearing appropriate face masks, especially for the frontline station and security personnel.
• Non-contact thermometers will be used to identify and control the entry of passengers that will register heightened body temperatures. Station personnel shall observe COVID-19 response standard operating procedures in managing such passengers.
• Use of TV screens in stations and in trains, where available, to play materials from DOH re do’s and don’ts on how to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, and print materials from DOH will likewise be posted in stations.
• Posting in strategic locations, and periodic announcements, of reminders for preventive actions that could help prevent transmission of the virus.

7. Rail operators are encouraged to take other measures necessary and desirable to prudently reduce the risk of transmission in our rail lines.

C. AVIATION SECTOR

1. All domestic flights will cease operations the community quarantine area, except the following:

• Cargo flights;
• Air ambulance and medical supplies;
• Government/Military flights
• Weather mitigation flights;
• Maintenance and utility flights

2. No general aviation flights within the community quarantine area during the period. General aviation flights will be diverted to Sangley Airport and Clark Airport

3. International/Commercial Flights:

• Special airport-to-airport trips arranged by the airlines, in coordination with the airport authorities shall be allowed;
• Passengers may opt to terminate flight in Manila, and arrange their own transport within Manila;
• Airlines to communicate options of beyond Manila travel; and
• CAAP to endeavor local airlines to operate sweeper flight/s airlines out of Manila and into other airports.

4. At least one (1) meter radius distance from the other passengers shall be implemented. Areas, where queuing take place (x-ray, check-in counter queues, etc.), shall have signages people to observe proper social distancing, and FIDS system will display video reminders of the same.

5. Suspension on the issuance of access passes for visitors. Only passengers and essential personnel shall be allowed entry and exit to the airport terminals.

6. Passenger, employees and transacting public concentration in screening areas, check-in counters, immigration areas, concourses, elevator, escalators, and access pass control windows shall be regulated for orderly and distanced queuing.

D. MARITIME SECTOR

The following measures shall be strictly implemented:

1. Passengers and other Maritime Personnel:

• Enhancement of passenger awareness on precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by putting up signages and distributing fliers and pamphlets and the use of the Public Address (PA) system in ports and onboard vessels;

• Promotion of the observance of the one (1) meter social distancing measure in ports, terminals and onboard vessels and watercraft.

• Implementation of passenger screening segregation and management in accordance with the DOH procedures and related guidelines; and

• The crew of cargo vessels originating from COVID-19 affected ports identified under relevant IATF Resolutions shall be subject to stringent quarantine procedures and shall not be allowed to disembark subject to existing guidelines.

2. For Ships and Cargoes:

• Passenger traffic in all ports going in and out of the NCR shall be suspended during the period of community quarantine. However, ferry services within the NCR shall continue to operate subject to the observance of 50% reduced capacity as prescribed by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

• Ships normally plying routes within the NCR shall be allowed to call at ports outside of the same upon application for the issuance of Special Permit with the MARINA during the period of the community quarantine;

• All passenger terminals and all vessels shall strictly observe hygienic measures as prescribed by the DOH;

• Movement of cargoes to and from the NCR shall be unhampered. All cargo trucks/vans going in and out of the Port of Manila (South Harbor, MICT, North Harbor and Manila Harbor Center) shall secure a Cargo Entry/Withdrawal Permit (CEWP) from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA). which shall be presented for validation at designated checkpoints, and

• Waste reception services at the ports shall be suspended. Both foreign and domestic ships are obliged to unload their wastes at the next port of call outside the NCR.

3. Controlled Areas

• “No Sail” policy shall be implemented to all water conveyances carrying passengers calling to and from any ports of Metro Manila except foreign ships subject to CIQS procedures and domestic cargo, fishing and government vessels subject to health screening pursuant to DOH Advisories and guidelines.

• Establishment of entry and exit controls in ports and other maritime areas and waters as identified by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

EFFECTIVITY

This guideline shall take effect immediately and shall be applicable for the duration of the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) until said medical condition has been lifted by proper health authorities. This policy shall be subject to daily review and revision as necessary.

Source: DOTr