One-metre distance rule to stay in Philippines: Official
MANILA: Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has decided to retain the one metre social distance requirement on public transport to stop spread of coronavirus, his spokesman said on Saturday.
Harry Roque, the presidential spokesman, reported that Duterte rejected the move to reduce the one metre physical distancing rule on public transports like buses and trains following warnings it would increase significantly the number of COVID-19 infections.
“The president’s order is to retain the one metre distancing in public transports,” Roque told the state-owned PTV4 in Filipino, adding the mandatory use of masks and face shields as well as no talking among the commuters would also be strictly enforced to contain the spread of the virus.
Meanwhile, Duterte issued a proclamation extending for another year up to Sept.12, 2021 a state of calamity over the entire Philippines amid the raging novel coronavirus pandemic.
Duterte said that while there have been significant strides in the war on COVID-19, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) recommended the extension of the calamity state.
The extension, Duterte pointed out, would enable the national government as well as local government units, among others, “ample latitude to continue utilising appropriate funds... and response to efforts to contain the spread of
COVID-19, monitor and control prices of basic and prime commodities and provide basic services to the affected populations.”
He also ordered all law enforcement agencies to ensure peace and order in the affected areas even as the Department of Health reported that as of Friday, the total confirmed virus infections nationwide have risen to 279,526 with recoveries at 208,790 and deaths reaching 4,830.
The president first placed the country under a state of public health emergency on March 8 during the early days of the pandemic. On March 16, he escalated this to a six-month state of calamity due health crisis and placed the entire main island of Luzon to a two-month strict lockdown to limit the movement of people and force them to stay at home.
Duterte decision to retain the one-metre distancing protocol in public transports was seen as a victory for Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano who opposed the decision of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to reduce it to 0.75 metres with effect from Sept.15.
On Saturday, the Department of Transportation (DOTR) announced they would respect the Duterte decision and assured their strict enforcement not only of the distancing rule but also other health protocols like wearing of masks and face shields.