"No vax, no ride” in NCR to depend on next alert level

[ASEAN NOW News]

(File photo)

 

MANILA – The suspended “no vaccine, no ride” policy in public transportation will be reimposed in the National Capital Region (NCR) only if it will remain under Alert Level 3 or higher, an official of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.

 

In a Laging Handa briefing on Thursday, DOTr Undersecretary Artemio Tuazon Jr. said the policy has only been suspended for 30 days or until Feb. 25.

 

“If we’re at Alert Level 2, the effectivity of the ‘no vax, no ride’ policy will be suspended,” Tuazon said.

 

To date, he said the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has yet to decide whether to retain, ease, or escalate the current Covid-19 restrictions in NCR.

 

“There’s an IATF meeting today, and I think that will be discussed and they’ll decide whether to downgrade or not,” Tuazon said.

 

With the possibility of the vaccine policy returning, he encouraged the public to get themselves vaccinated during the 30-day suspension.

 

"This 30-day window was given so they may complete or begin their vaccination,” Tuazon said.

 

He noted that exemptions to the policy will remain such as for those with proof of their medical exemption, those working in essential industries, and those approved to acquire necessary goods and services by their barangay.

 

“After these 30 days we will strictly implement the ‘no vax, no ride’ policy. But I have to repeat, we have exemptions,” Tuazon said.

 

Earlier, he said the policy may also be implemented outside NCR if a local government unit issues an ordinance to bar the unvaccinated from public transportation. (PNA)

 

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