Manila’s public transportation policy has come into force Coronavirus pandemic News

Unaccompanied persons are prohibited from public jeepney, taxis, buses, sea ferries and commercial aircraft to and from Manila.

The Philippine “no vax, no ride” policy, which prohibits people who are not fully integrated against COVID-19 from using public transportation in the region of the country’s capital, has come into force – a movement that has sparked workers and protests. human rights groups.

The reduction, which will last at least until the end of January, was succeeded by President Rodrigo Duterte warning Vaccine-free Filipinos who are under house arrest orders to alleviate community infections can be arrested.

According to the Department of Transportation’s policy, public jeepney (a well-known icon of public transportation in Manila), taxis, buses, sea ferries, and commercial aircraft are banned from passengers who are not fully vaccinated. they are on urgent orders or unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons.

More than 54 million Filipinos have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in a government campaign that has suffered delays and public doubts.

The Philippines has confirmed more than 3.1 million coronavirus infections, with 52,858 COVID-19 deaths among the worst in Southeast Asia. As in other nations, the figures are believed to be approximate, and the highly contagious variant of Omicron has caused a recent rise in infections.

On Saturday, the Department of Health recorded a record of more than 39,000 cases per day, compared to less than 1,000 new cases reported daily during the Christmas holidays.

Commenting on the government’s new policy, Butch Olano of Amnesty International in the Philippines said that “there are really legitimate reasons to include as many people as possible” against COVID-19.

“However, these reasons should not impede the freedom of movement of people,” he added.

People wearing face masks and shields to protect against COVID-19 are waiting for transport on a Manila street [Ted Aljibe/AFP]

Experts say the legality of the policy could be questioned before the Supreme Court.

There was concern that poor jeepney drivers would be able to effectively comply with the restrictions and check that they were constantly ascending and descending at the rear exit while driving passengers to check for vaccination certificates.

Police warned that passengers who show false evidence of the vaccine could be fined or jailed.

The Department of Transportation said the policy is to promote public health and prevent the reopening of public commuter train systems as it was a year ago, after polluting many workers.

For those who say that public transport is “anti-vaccine, non-travel” anti-poor, draconian or punitive, we believe it is more anti-poor and anti-life if we do not implement interventions that prevent it. loss of life due to lack of vaccines, ”he said.

Bicycles go to work in Manila [AC Dimatatac/AFP]