MANILA – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will strictly implement health protocols onboard trains and in all rail facilities, including stations and depots.
Following the imposition of placing the National Capital Region (NCR) under stricter Alert Level 3 status due to the increase in Covid-19 infections, this came after.
The implementation of strict health protocols to mitigate the spread of the virus will continue to be in place, even more as the present 70 percent passenger capacity in all rail lines will be maintained, DOTr Secretary Art Tugade stated.
“As recommended by our railways sector, all rail lines will maintain the present 70 percent passenger capacity under the Alert Level 3 status, provided that strict health measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 will be enforced. This is to avoid the ‘bottlenecking’ or crowding of passengers at stations, which may increase the risk of virus transmission,” Tugade said in a news release on Sunday.
According to Tugade, any alterations or adjustments to rail lines’ passenger capacity, including other modes of public transportation, shall be subject to the recommendations of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).
Random antigen testing
DOTr Undersecretary for Railways TJ Batan stated that the random antigen testing will assist the DOTr gauge the level of Covid-19 presence in the rail lines.
“The random antigen testing of consenting and volunteering passengers is intended to guide us in the adoption of any further needed measures. 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,” Batan said.
Apart from the random antigen testing of passengers, the deployment of train marshals to impose health protocols within trains and stations will be optimized.
“Deployed train marshals will make sure that all passengers will be wearing face masks, and will not talk, eat or make use of mobile phones while inside trains. In addition, the deployed train marshals will also enforce the physical distancing rule inside trains, where applicable, considering the current passenger capacity. However, physical distancing will be strictly enforced in station platforms and in station premises,” Batan added.
Tugade also directed that trains, platforms, stations, and depots be disinfected on a regular basis, stating that contact tracing procedures should be maintained.
Meanwhile, to assure the safety of all rail facilities, the DOTr has mandated that all rail personnel submit to antigen testing in accordance with current Department of Health protocols.
Physical reporting in offices of rail lines personnel will be limited to 60 percent, further to Alert Level 3 guidelines, which prescribe at least 30 percent.
The DOTr Rail Sector will also work with its contractors and consultants to implement similar enhanced measures for construction workers and other personnel deployed at its various rail projects.
Tugade also instructed the rail sector to verify all rail personnel’s vaccination and booster status, and that booster shots be administered to rail personnel to increase operational resilience.
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