MRT and LRT commuters may be asked to take random antigen testing soon.
In order to maintain the 70-percent passenger capacity in all rail lines, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is enforcing stricter health protocols and will be conducting random antigen tests on passengers.
The announcement was posted after the national government placed Metro Manila under Alert Level 3 status on December 31, 2021 amid rising Covid-19 cases in the metropolis.
DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade hopes that the stricter measures will help “avoid the ‘bottlenecking’ or crowding of passengers at stations, which may increase the risk of virus transmission”.
Train marshals will be optimized to enforce health protocols inside trains and in stations.
Talking and eating remain prohibited while passengers are required to maintain physical distancing.
Tugade also ordered the regular disinfection of trains, platforms, stations, and depots. He also required all rail personnel to undergo antigen testing.
The rail sector has also been ordered to verify the vaccination and booster status of all rail personnel as the agency highly recommends them to receive booster shots to increase operational resilience.
Additionally, the agency will be conducting random antigen testing of consenting and volunteering passengers.
No starting date or location has been announced.
“Passengers who volunteer to be tested will be permitted to proceed with their trip after testing, and will be informed of their test results by text message,” said Transportation Undersecretary Timothy Batan.
On Sunday (January 2), the Philippines recorded 4,600 new Covid-19 cases–the highest recorded since October 24, 2021.
Tags: #DepartmentofTransportation, #antigentesting, #MetroManila, #Covid19