Duterte Admin - One Seat Apart Rule Istriktong Ipinapatupad sa mga Public Transportation

Photo from MB.COM.PH

Newly-approved one-seat apart rule among passengers in public transportation will have to be strictly implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while the government works on reviving the economy, Malacañang said.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after President Duterte’s Cabinet agreed to implement the new physical distancing rule in public transportation, effectively scrapping the one-meter distance rule.

The new physical distancing rule is not in effect but said it will be implemented soon but with the necessary guidelines from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Roque said in an interview with CNN Philippines.

“It’s been approved by the Cabinet so we expect it to be implemented eventually, sooner probably than later. Hintayin lang po natin ang guidelines ng (Let’s just wait for the guidelines from the) LTFRB,” he added.

According to Roque, the new physical distancing rule will be strictly enforced by the LTFRB after reports of overcrowded buses despite the existing one-meter distance among passengers.

“Bagama’t (Even though it is now) every other seat, it will still have to be enforced,” he said.

“Kinakailangan talaga ipakita ng LTFRB na bagama’t tinaasan natin ang ating transportation availability, importante pa rin na masunod ang mga health protocols dahil baka naman tayo ay magkasakit (The LTFRB needs to show that even though we increased the availability of transportation, it is still important to follow health protocols because we may end up getting sick if we don’t),” he added.

As long as they follow the minimum health protocols of wearing face masks and face shields, observing physical distancing, frequent disinfection of the vehicle, and o talking or eating inside the vehicle, the new physical distancing measure is safe, he assured the public.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) had earlier planned to reduce the one-meter physical distancing measures to .75. However, President Duterte eventually decided to stick to the original one-meter distancing measure.