What to expect as Metro Manila starts ‘no vaccination, no ride’ policy on Monday

(FILE) Traditional and modern jeepneys share space on Pinatubo Street in Mandaluyong City. — NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — The “no vaccination, no ride” policy takes effect in Metro Manila starting Monday, January 17, 2022, as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) aims to curb the further spread of COVID-19 in the metropolis by barring those not vaccinated against the virus from using public transportation.

The “no vaccination, no ride” policy covers travel going to, from and within Metro Manila. The policy covers all forms of public transportation by land, sea, and air.

Travel by land

Commuters who intend to ride trains of the LRT and MRT lines and the Philippine National Railways (PNR), as well as take other land-based public utility vehicles, will be asked to present either the physical or digital copies of their vaccination cards issued by their respective local government units before they are allowed entry to stations, terminals or vehicles.

In addition, commuters may be asked to present vaccination certificates issued by the Department of Health (DOH) or by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), and a valid  government-issued ID.

Commuters on public utility vehicles should also be aware that “mystery passengers” may be taking the ride with them to ensure compliance with the policy, said the DOTr.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Martin Delgra also encouraged jeepney passengers to show their vaccination cards to jeepney drivers before riding.

Travel by sea

Commuters traveling by sea can enter Metro Manila ports after presenting either the physical or digital copies of their vaccination cards issued by their respective local government units, a DOH-issued vaccination certification, or any document issued by the IATF that permits them access. They will also be asked to present any valid government-issued ID.

According to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), this policy applies to passengers “to, from and within” Metro Manila “including individuals residing outside NCR (National Capital Region) but who works and/or travel to the same, passing through ports under the [PPA’s] jurisdiction, including private ports.”

The policy has been under a “soft implementation” stage since Thursday, the PPA said.

Travel by air

Passengers traveling to and from Metro Manila, along with individuals using airport facilities and premises could only do so provided they could present a physical or digital copy of either a local government-issued vaccination card, or a DOH issued-vaccine certification, and a valid government-issued ID. The ID should bear the passenger’s name and address.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, any passenger during the flight who will suddenly show symptoms like fever or dry cough will be transferred to an isolation area in the last three rows of the aircraft’s cabin to isolate them and be given  assistance. Only designated members of the cabin crew will attend to the symptomatic passenger, CAAP said.

Carriers Cebu Pacific, AirAsia and Philippine Airlines said they will abide with the guidelines.

Exemptions

The DOTr said travelers who have medical conditions preventing them from being vaccinated against COVID-19 are exempted from the “no vaccination, no ride” policy provided they have to show a valid and duly signed medical certificate with the name and contact details of their doctors.

Unvaccinated commuters who will buy essential goods and services as well as those who need medical attention are likewise exempted from the policy but they should also show a duly issued barangay health pass or other proofs to justify travel, the DOTr said.

The “no vaccination no ride” policy will be in effect in Metro Manila as long as the region remains under Alert Level 3. Metro Manila is under Alert Level 3 until January 31.

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