LTO insists on face mask-wearing inside private vehicles, but violators won’t be fined yet

MANILA, Philippines — Motorists who will fail to wear face masks inside private vehicles will not be slapped with fines but will only be reminded to follow the minimum public health standards, an official of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) said Tuesday.

“Para mawala ang pangamba, ang gusto natin dito ma-check ang maaaring pag-spread ng virus. Pero I understand na rereview-hin ito [face mask policy] ng IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) o DOH (Department of Health), pero kung ano adjustment sa kanilang issuance, tutugon ang LTO dito,” said LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante said in an online press conference, when asked about the face mask policy inside private vehicles.

(What we want to see here is to avert the possibility of spreading the virus, but I understand that the IATF and DOH will still review this policy. But whatever adjustment they imposed or issue, we will comply.)

“Pero pansamantala, kung kayo ay masisita hindi naman kayo pagmumultahin or whatever. Ipapaliwanag iyong kahalagahan iyong paguutos na kailangan nakasuot ang face mask,” Galvante added.

(In the meantime, if you would be flagged, you will not be asked to pay fines or whatever. They will just explain the importance of wearing face masks.)

Galvante explained that the LTO requires wearing of face masks inside private cars, regardless if passengers are from the same household.

“Wala kaming nakita o nagdi-differentiate, whether yung sakay ng vehicle nakatira sa isang tahanan o magkahiwalay,” he said.

(We are not checking whether the passengers are from the same household, or if they are living apart.)

EDV