'Shotgun approach': NGOs hit 'no vax, no ride' policy on public transportation

Police officers screen motorists and commuters passing the border of Bulacan and Caloocan in San Jose Del Monte on the first day of Implementation of a renewed lockdown or enhanced community quarantine on Monday, March 29, 2021.

The STAR / Michael Varcas

MANILA, Philippines — Banning the unvaccinated from using public transportation is a "shotgun approach" that will only inconvenience commuters instead of addressing the coronavirus surge in Metro Manila, transport advocacy groups said Thursday. 

This comes a day after the DOTr announced the "no vaccine, no ride" policy in the capital region's modes of public transportation "to prevent a repeat of the public transport shut down [and] safeguard those that are most at risk." It said those affected can "use other modes" instead. 

In a statement sent to media, the Move as One Coalition said that the move "unduly burdens commuters and transport workers and fails to address more basic issues" —  such as the lack of ayuda, testing, and ventilation in public transport and public spaces — that also cause the spread of the pathogen.

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/01/13/2153665/shotgun-approach-ngos-hit-no-vax-no-ride-policy-public-transportation