Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Wednesday ordered the enforcement of a “no vaccination, no ride/no entry” policy in the National Capital Region (NCR), in line with President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s order to restrict the movement of people who are unvaccinated against Covid-19 in Metro Manila.
In a department order (DO), Tugade said the enforcement of the “no vaccination, no ride” policy would be in effect while the NCR is under Alert Level 3 or higher, as determined by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
Following the President’s order, the Metro Manila Council, which is composed of all the mayors of the NCR, also passed a resolution urging the local government units of Metro Manila to pass their respective ordinances on the enhanced restrictions on the movement of unvaccinated persons.
Tugade said the DO takes effect immediately after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation, and 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.
According to the DO, 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.
Exempted from the “no vaccination, no ride” policy are:
• 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.
Source: Philippines News Agency
