Will There Be Enough Transport Supply During ECQ? DOTr Says Yes
There will be adequate transport supply in areas that will be placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the Department of Transportation (DOTr) promised commuters.
Metro Manila is scheduled to be placed under the strictest quarantine classification starting Friday, August 6, to control the surge of the Delta variant of COVID-19.
Commuters who are authorized persons outside residence (APOR) in the National Capital Region “will be accommodated by public transport services,” but are reminded to “strictly observe the prescribed physical distancing and sanitary measures at all times, ” DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said.
"Restrictions will be applied on passengers,” he added. “There will be stricter enforcement to ensure that only APORs are permitted to use public transport, as mandated by the IATF,” he added.
Although the DOTr is keeping the current supply and capacity of public transportation to accommodate APORs, the IATF might decide to restrict this should it deem it necessary.
During ECQ, buses and jeepneys are allowed to operate at half their capacity, as well as motorcycle taxi services like Angkas and transport network vehicle service (TNVS) operations like Grab.
Tricycles are limited to one passenger at a time, but subject to the approval of the local government units and the Department of Interior and Local Government.
Train systems, meanwhile, will also remain operational with transport marshals deployed to enforce health protocols and properly identify APORs. The Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3, the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 2, and the Philippine National Railways (PNR) are providing free rides to APORs between August 3 and August 20.
Domestic flights and sea travel to and from the NCR will also continue during the ECQ, but will depend on the current travel advisories of destination cities and provinces.
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