MANILA – Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade issued an order on Wednesday enforcing a “no vaccination, no ride/no entry” policy in the National Capital Region (NCR), in accordance with President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s decree restricting the mobility of those who are not Covid-19-vaccinated in Metro Manila.
In a department order (DO), Tugade stated that the enforcement of the “no vaccination, no ride” policy would be enforced as long as the NCR is under Alert Level 3 or higher, as classified by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
Following the President’s directive, the Metro Manila Council, which is comprised of all the mayors of the NCR, also issued a resolution encouraging local government units of Metro Manila to enact their respective ordinances imposing tighter restrictions on the movement of unvaccinated individuals.
Tugade stated that the DO becomes effective immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette or a general circulation newspaper, as well as the submission of a copy to the Office of the National Administrative Register, UP Law Center.
“All concerned attached agencies and sectoral offices of (the) DOTr are directed to ensure that operators of public transportation shall allow access or issue tickets only to ‘fully vaccinated persons’ as evidenced by physical or digital copies of an LGU-issued (local government unit) vaccine card, or any IATF-prescribed document, with a valid government-issued ID with picture and address,” the department order read.
A person is considered fully vaccinated against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) two weeks after receiving their second dose in a two-dose vaccination series or a single-dose vaccine, according to the DO.
Below are the following exemptions from the “no vaccination, no ride” policy:
• Persons with medical conditions that prevent their full Covid-19 vaccination, as shown by a duly-signed medical certificate with the name and contact details of their doctor; and
• Persons who will buy essential goods and services, such as food, water, medicine, medical devices, public utilities, energy, work, and medical and dental necessities, as shown by a duly issued barangay health pass or other proof to justify the travel.
Under the order, violations of the policy are considered violations of applicable general safety and health provisions under any concession or service agreements, authority or permits to operate public transportation, and other similar instruments.
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