INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Face masks and physical distancing are no longer required in public transportation, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced on Sunday following the lifting of the state of public health emergency in the country.
The agency cited an earlier statement by the Department of Health which “[affirmed] that the President’s proclamation rescinded the mask requirement in public transport.”
Following the release of Proclamation No. 297, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said all COVID-19 protocols were lifted.
“Consequently, the requirement for wearing masks in public transportation and other settings as specified in [Executive Order No.] 7 is now considered rescinded,” he said.
In line with this, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista in a statement said physical distancing protocols are also lifted, and all passenger vehicles may continue operating at full capacity.
But jeepneys, in particular, have already been operating more or less at full capacity even before the lifting of the state of public health emergency.
Before the DOTr’s lifting of the health protocols on Sunday, the mandatory face mask and physical distancing protocols were rarely observed in these and other public utility vehicles (PUVs), when the country was gradually transitioning to the “new normal.”
Bautista nevertheless said that sanitization in public transport vehicles would continue to avert possible health risks.
“While public safety remains a top priority, the removal of protocols aims to facilitate commuters’ convenience, contribute to the revival of the transportation industry, and help stimulate economic activity,” he said.
Face mask policy
On Oct. 28, 2022, President Marcos signed Executive Order No. 7, which allowed the voluntary wearing of face masks in indoor and outdoor settings except in healthcare facilities, medical transport vehicles, and public transportation.
While health protocols were not consistently followed in PUVs, the face mask policy was strictly imposed on all trains in Metro Manila as passengers were not allowed to enter the platform without wearing masks.
Last April, the DOTr reiterated that the mandatory wearing of face masks inside all trains was still in effect, citing the recommendation of health experts to keep the measure in place.
According to Transportation Assistant Secretary Jorjette Aquino, “medical professionals in the railways sector stressed that the risk of COVID-19 transmission remains present in our trains as they are enclosed spaces.”