CLARK FREEPORT -- Tricycles drivers will be allowed to ply their respective routes under the general community quarantine (GCQ) subject to the approval of concerned local government units.
This is included in the road transport guidelines issued by the Department of Transportation (DoTr) as various areas in the country prepares to shift from modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) to GCQ which is expected to take effect on June 1.
For public transportation in areas under GCQ, stringent sanitary measures have been set and will be strictly enforced, according to the transportation department.
The agency cited the wearing of face mask, no-contact measures like cashless payments, use of thermal scanners, availability of alcohols and sanitizers in public utility vehicles, disinfection of vehicles, establishment of disinfection facilities in transport terminals and contact tracing.
In GCQ areas, there will be two phases that will be executed for different modes of transportation.
For Phase 1, starting June 1 to 21, trains and bus augmentation, taxis, TNVS, shuttle services, point to point buses and bicycles will be allowed with limited passenger capacity.
No provincial buses will be allowed to enter Metro Manila during this initial phase.
For Phase 2, which will start on June 22 to 30, buses, modern PUVs, and UV Express will be allowed to operate with limited capacity.
Social distancing will be enforced in all forms of transportation, the DOTR stressed.
The DOTR will also promote and pursue online transactions on licensing, registration of vehicles, and other documentary requirements.
“In this new normal, the DOTR will be harnessing the advantages of technology in implementing its initiatives for road-based transport to minimize physical contact or face to face interaction to prevent the spread of Covid-19,” the agency added.