MANILA, Philippines — The Light Rail Transit-1 (LRT-1) on Friday started to limit passengers boarding the train to reduce the risk of transmission of the 2019 coronavirus disease.
The management of Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), which operates the LRT-1, said it would reduce the number of passengers per platform by 50 percent during peak hours which is from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“As an example, for our Monumento Station (northbound), the platform area is 575 square meters with usual passenger limit per platform (PLPP) of 200. Now, it’s at 100 pax only,” read the statement sent to reporters via Viber.
The train’s management said security guards will limit the number of passengers starting from the security inspection area up to the platform.
This development came after the government raised the alert level to Code Red Sub-Level 2, which intensifies social distancing. Sub-Level 2 is implemented when there is sustained community transmission in the country.
LRMC also advised passengers to bring face masks as a protocol to fight against the spread of COVID-19.
The management also said senior citizens, who will become a high risk for respiratory disease, are advised not to limit their travel.
“If travel is unavoidable, we encourage them to take the LRT-1 during off-peak hours,” read the statement.
The LRMC also previously said they disinfect their trains at Roosevelt Station and Baclaran Station.
Community quarantine
President Duterte announced Thursday that domestic travel to and from metropolitan Manila will be suspended for a month and authorized sweeping quarantines in the crowded capital to fight the new coronavirus.
The President also banned large gatherings in the metropolis, suspended most government work in the executive department and extended the suspension of classes by a month in new restrictions announced in a nationwide TV address. Domestic travel by land, air and sea to and from the capital region will be suspended starting Sunday.
‘This is not martial law’
An entire city or province could be placed under quarantine if there are at least two confirmed infections in two different villages or towns, the president said.
With police and military generals sitting behind him, Duterte warned that violators and officials who refuse to enforce the temporary restrictions will face arrest and possible imprisonment.
“This is not martial law. It’s not even something extraordinary,” Duterte said, stressing that the restrictions are only aimed at fighting the virus.
But he warned that “if things deteriorate, the military and police will maintain order.”
The actions will be reviewed daily by an inter-agency force dealing with the viral outbreak, Duterte said.
The new restrictions amounted to “a lockdown” but Duterte said officials did not want to use the publicly intimidating term.
“This is not a total lockdown,” Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano said, suggesting that law enforcers would be considerate.