Public transport still prohibited under modified ECQ, Palace says

MANILA, Philippines — Public transportation will remain suspended under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila, Laguna province, and Cebu City – areas considered “high-risk” to COVID-19 infection.

Under the MECQ, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Wednesday operations of train systems, buses, jeepneys, taxis, and TNVS would remain prohibited.

However, company shuttle of industries allowed to operate under the eased lockdown rules would be permitted to ply the roads.

“Sa Modified ECQ, wala pa rin pong public transportation pero puwede po na mag-deploy ng mga shuttle buses iyong mga industriya na ina-allow na magtrabaho at saka subject din po sa exceptions na ibibigay ng DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government)  tungkol dito,” Roque said in a televised Palace briefing.

(Under the modified ECQ, public transportation is not allowed but companies could deploy shuttle buses to ferry workers subject to exception rules of the DILG.)

Tricycle operation will also remain barred with exceptions subject to the guidelines of the DILG or the concerned local government unit.

No domestic flights and only limited international flights will be allowed while inbound travel of overseas Filipino workers and returning Filipinos will be controlled.

Personal vehicles can be used under the MECQ by persons/workers in permitted sectors/activities but only two passengers are allowed per row.

Meanwhile, bikes, motorcycles, and e-scooters will be allowed on a one-is-to-one basis.

Metro Manila, Laguna province, and Cebu City, currently under an ECQ, will be placed under modified ECQ from May 16 to May 31.