[ad_1]
TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT Jeepney riders in Makati City maintain a measured distance between them after the government retains the standard 1 meter rule for distance inside public vehicles. File photo of the INQUIRER / CHILD JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Saturday that it will “aggressively comply” with President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to maintain a physical distance of one meter between passengers in public utility vehicles (USP).
“The president has spoken. We will aggressively comply with and strictly enforce the 1 meter physical distancing on all public transportation as planned and ordered, ”DOTr said in a statement.
It was on Saturday that Palace spokesman Harry Roque announced Duterte’s last word on whether or not to reduce physical distancing in public transportation.
“The president made a decision yesterday. The president’s decision is that the social distancing of a metro in public transport will be maintained, ”Roque announced through state PTV.
(The president already made a decision yesterday. The president’s decision is that the social distancing of one meter in public transport will continue in force).
The DOTr originally lobbied to reduce the distance between passengers, and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the National Task Force on COVID-19 and the Interagency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases endorsed the measure.
Under the proposal, the distance between passengers at USPs will be reduced to 0.75 meters from one meter, which is recommended by the World Health Organization.
The new social distancing rule was implemented on Monday, September 14, but was later suspended as Duterte was expected to decide on the matter.
Even medical experts have warned that reducing the prescribed physical distance between travelers can lead to further transmission of COVID-19.
As of September 18, the Philippines has 279,526 COVID-19 cases, with 208,790 recoveries and 4,830 deaths.
JPV
Read next
EDITOR’S SELECTION
MOST READ
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer and more than 70 other titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download from 4am and share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
For comments, complaints or inquiries, please contact us.
[ad_2]
