Rule of the meter ‘not the truth of the gospel’: experts back the distance cut of the USP

Group proposes ‘7 commandments’ for mass transport

MANILA – A group of medical experts on Thursday backed the relaxation of the rules of physical distancing in public vehicles and proposed the “7 commandments” to keep passengers safe from the pandemic.

Former Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit, a member of the group, pointed out that metro passengers in Japan maintain physical distance on platforms, but are allowed to sit close to each other inside trains, while wearing masks and refraining from speaking.

Public vehicles in the Philippines “do not [be] as congested ”as Japan’s subway, even after the distance requirement is lowered to 0.75 meters or further down to 0.5 and 0.3 meters, he said.

“What we are saying here, as a doctor, is that it is possible to go down one meter. It is not a dogma, but we have to look at all the packages of the 7 commandments for their correct implementation, ”Dayrit told ANC.

These standards are not dogmas, gospel truth. Even the WHO says that these rules have to be applied according to the context, “he added.

The “7 commandments” for the mass transit system that Dayrit’s group recommended include the following:

Use antivirus masks. Those who use it are 6 times less likely to get an infection compared to those who don’t, Dayrit said.

Wear face shield. This will reduce the risk of infection by up to 3 times, he said.

Do not talk or eat. Respiratory droplets from the mouth and nose can spread the virus, the former health chief said.

Ensure adequate ventilation. Open vehicle windows from time to time to dissipate calm air where the virus could linger. For trains, stopping at the platforms and opening the door will promote airflow, he said.

Practice frequent disinfection. Transportation authorities must ensure that public vehicles are cleaned with bleach, which kills the virus, he said.

No symptomatic passengers. People who feel ill should refrain from using public transportation, Dayrit said.

Observe adequate physical distancing.

“This is not just the 1 meter social distancing that is at stake here. We have to implement the full package, ”Dayrit said. “And if we do, we will have great potential to reduce physical distancing and follow her policy of wanting to open up the economy.”

President Rodrigo Duterte will decide on the policy of physical distancing after members of the government’s pandemic response task force failed to reach consensus, spokesman Harry Roque said on Wednesday.

The Philippines has confirmed 272,934 coronavirus infections, 60,344 of which were active as of Wednesday.

Dayrit’s group includes the following:

• UP Manila College of Public Health Dean Dr. Vicente Belizario, Jr. Former Undersecretary and Government Advisor Dr. Teodoro Herbosa
• UP Manila President of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Dr. Michael Hernandez
• Director of the Cancer Commission of the Philippine College of Surgeons Dr. Manuel Francisco T. Roxas
• Former Secretary of Health Dra. Esperanza Cabral
• Founder and CEO of the Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines, Dr. Ma. Dominga Padilla
• Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Rontgene Solante