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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 16) – President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to decide on the fate of the new policy of distancing from public transport within the week, his spokesman said.
Speaking to CNN Philippines on Wednesday, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the COVID-19 Interagency Task Force has produced its new recommendations on the much-debated transportation protocol, and the executive director is expected to review and decide “at the latest. ” Thursday.
“The agency came up with a recommendation to be delivered to the president, and it will be the president who finally decides,” said Roque in an interview with The fountain. “I think the president will decide no later than tomorrow.”
Roque did not provide further details on the final IATF recommendation, which he said was the result of Tuesday’s six-hour meeting between officials and health experts.
He said that while the parties had different views on the matter, the final report of the task force was ultimately based on scientific and medical advice.
In a televised briefing later that day, Roque said he hopes Duterte himself will announce the decision. He added that the president “most likely” will address the nation on the matter.
From the distance of one meter recommended by the World Health Organization, the Department of Transport on Monday reduced the distance between commuters within public transport to 0.75 meters to accommodate more passengers.
The distance will be further reduced to 0.5 meters by September 28 and will decrease to 0.3 meters on October 12.
The IATF had committed to reviewing and re-evaluating the policy after a group of doctors previously warned of a possible increase in COVID-19 transmission due to loosening of distancing rules.
But for now, Roque stressed that the 0.75-meter distancing rule will remain in place unless the president repeals it.
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