By JON VIKTOR D. CABUENAS, GMA News

Published January 30, 2022 3:05pm
Updated January 30, 2022 3:16pm

Government's "no vaccination, no ride" policy in Metro Manila will be lifted on Tuesday upon the easing of the prevailing restrictions in the area, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) reiterated over the weekend.

The DOTr made the clarification after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the management of emerging infectious diseases (IATF-EID) announced the easing of restrictions down to Alert level 2 from February 1 to 15.

Under Alert Level 2, the second-lowest in the COVID risk classification system, establishments and activities are allowed at 50% capacity indoors for fully vaccinated adults and 70% capacity outdoors.

"Once we de-escalate to Alert Level 2, the 'no vax, no ride policy' shall automatically be lifted," DOTr Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Goddes Libiran said in a message to reporters on Sunday.

The no vaccination, no ride policy policy was implemented by the DOTr earlier this month, limiting public transportation access to unvaccinated individuals and workers.

Exempted from the policy, however, are persons with medical conditions that prevent their full vaccination against COVID-19 as shown by a duly-signed medical certificate, and those who will buy essential goods and services.

Earlier, the DOTr clarified that the policy applies only under Alert Level 3 or higher classification. Officials estimate that the country would lose some P200 million due to the Alert Level 3 restrictions.

"Ibig sabihin, kung ano ang COVID-19 Alert level System sa Metro Manila ay ibaba na sa Alert Level 2, ang 'no vax, no ride' policy sa mga pampublikong transportasyon ay awtomatikong ili-lift o isususpinde na," Libiran said.

(This means that if the COVID-19 Alert Level System in Metro Manila is down to Alert Level 2, the "no vaccination, no ride" policy will be automatically lifted or suspended.) --LBG, GMA News