DOH studying ways to combat coronavirus in transport

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said they will study procedures to prevent transmission of the 2019 coronavirus disease or COVID-19 in different modes of transportation.

In a press briefing at the DOH main office, Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said they have a technical group that would evaluate how other countries impose “infection control procedure in different transport types.”

“Tinitignan yung experiences from other countries kung ano pwede gawin sa infection control procedure sa different transport types katulad ng LRT [Light Rail Transit], jeepneys at tricycles,” Vergeire said when asked about DOH’s response for prevention of the infectious disease in transportation.

(We are looking at the experiences from other countries on what can we do for infection control procedure in transport types like LRT, jeepneys and tricycles.)

Vergeire said the Philippine health department will advise LRT-1 operators to contain the coronavirus disease, which was caused by the novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2.

Vergeire said control procedures include having thermal guns at the entrance to check the temperature of passengers, putting out sanitizers and alcohol at different strategic areas.

Vergeire said they will also meet with operators of jeepneys, buses and tricycles to determine ways to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.