The scheduled end of Metro Manila's enhanced community quarantine is fast approaching, and along with it, the public transportation ban. With this, the Department of Transportation has shared guidelines for modes of public transportation set to make a return when the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) lapses. This includes jeepneys, buses, tricycles, and even rail lines. Yes, the MRT-3, LRT-1, LRT-2, and PNR are all set to resume operations after ECQ on May 16, 2020, albeit in a limited capacity.
"Upon resumption of operations, all rail lines will observe the March 14, 2020 Department of Transportation (DOTr) guidelines on Community Quarantine, as well as additional health and safety measures pursuant to IATF and DOH [Department of Health] guidelines," the Department of Transportation said in a Facebook post on May 2.
The DOTr guidelines for train lines are as follows:
- There will be a new subsection for senior citizens to further separate them from the women's section
- Philippine National Railway operations from Alabang to Laguna is suspended
- Trains and platform capacity shall be reduced to 25%
- Trains will be disinfected at least every time they reach their end-stations
If rail lines stick to the DOTr's March 14 guidelines, passengers entering stations and trains will be closely regulated, rail line personnel must wear face masks and use thermal scanners, and any passengers exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 (such as body temperature of 38 degrees and above) will be refused entry.