MANILA – The decision to adjust physical distancing in public transportation was a “carefully calibrated” decision to support the restart of the economy, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said.
Nograles, who also serves as the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) co-chairperson, said the move was studied carefully by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
“Pinag-aralan ito ng mga eksperto at pinag-aralan ito ng DOTr. So kami sa IATF ipinaubaya na namin sa DOTr ang responsibility to slowly open up ‘yong capacity, pero kailangan evidence-based,” Nograles said in a virtual press conference.
Nograles added that the country is slowly entering phase two of its National Action Plan against COVID-19, which is balancing health and economic aspects amid the new normal.
“Unti-unti binubuksan natin ‘yong ekonomiya – nagkakaroon ng economic activities, bumabalik na sa trabaho ang ating mga kababayan, ang mga industriya mas nagiging less restrictive na tayo,” Nograles said.
“Pero habang ginagawa natin ito, nakikita natin na ‘yong mga kababayan natin na kailangan magtrabaho nahihirapan tumungo sa kanilang workplace dahil may gap sa transportation,” he added.
In the eased rule, physical distancing among commuters inside a public transportation would be reduced from one-meter to 0.75 meter (approximately 2.5 feet) starting Sept. 14, provided that the “No Face Mask, No Face Shield, No Entry” policy, as well as the “No Talking and No Answering Calls” would be observed.
The distancing would then be reduced to 0.5 meters (approximately 1.8 feet) on Sept. 28 and 0.3 meters starting October 12. The said protocol is subject to changes should there be any concern after the implementation, according to DOTr./PN
