1-Meter Distance In Public Transport To Stay Until Final Verdict
1-METER DISTANCE IN PUBLIC – The Palace clarified that the physical distancing shortening in public transport is suspended until President Duterte gives the final decision.
Recently, the DOTr announced they would be shortening the distance between passengers from 1 meter to 0.75 meters up until 0.3 meters in the next weeks. The plan was made to address the increasing demand for public transport as Manila shifted to a General Community Quarantine.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the one-meter rule in public transportation would remain. Likewise, Transportation chief Arthur Tugade said during an IATF meeting that until Duterte decides, the rule would remain.
Following the announcement, several health experts and lawmakers expressed their concerns regarding the issue. Meanwhile, Vice President Leni Robredo also questioned what the basis of the IATF was for entertaining the proposal.
READ: Robredo On Easing Physical Distancing: “Hindi Natin Alam Basis Ng IATF”
The rationale between the proposal was that because there was already a mandatory use of face mask and face shields, it would be okay to shorten the distance between passengers. Along with this, standing passengers would also be allowed.
However, despite this, former IATF adviser Dr. Tony Leachon worried about the proposal. According to Leachon, “this move will need calibrated planning. Pilot studies with monitoring of cases daily. It will need reference models from other countries using this practice. Results should be known.”
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