DOTr still backing face mask mandates on public transportation

Passengers start arriving early while others spend the night to avoid the influx of commuters inside the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) in Parañaque City on Friday morning. The terminal administration is expecting an increase in volume of passengers over the weekend heading to their respective provinces to vote for the May 9 national and local elections.

The STAR / Miguel de Guzman

MANILA, Philippines — Despite the government's pandemic task force looking at making mask mandates voluntary outdoors, the Department of Transportation called on the public to continue wearing face masks inside public transportation vehicles.

"The Secretary favors maintaining the face mask protocol in all public transport because prevailing infection numbers show the virus has not been fully controlled and we should not let our guard down," the Department of Transportation said in a statement sent to reporters.

Although the COVID-19 surge in Metro Manila had begun slowing down, increased mobility in the wake of the return to face-to-face classes for students led to the reproduction number and positivity rate slightly increasing over the past week, independent pandemic monitor OCTA Research said. 

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/09/12/2209180/dotr-still-backing-face-mask-mandates-public-transportation