POE: BUS TRAVELS ACROSS METRO MANILA, OTHER REGIONS MUST BE VIRUS-FREE

As government allows the operation of several bus routes, Sen. Grace Poe said compliance to minimum health standards in public transportation is indispensable to make travels free of the novelcoronavirus.

"Habang nadadagdagan ang mga pampublikong sasakyan sa kalsada, kailangang doblehin rin ang pag-iingat para hindi mahawa at makahawa ng COVID-19," Poe said.

The senator said passengers and drivers must strictly observe safety protocols such as wearing of face mask and face shield, observing physical distancing, giving the correct information for contact tracing, among others.

Transport operators and authorities should also reduce the risk of travellers being exposed to traces of the virus on surfaces by decontaminating and disinfecting vehicles and stations regularly.

Starting Sept. 30, several bus routes will be opened to serve passengers going to and from Metro Manila and Regions 3 and 4-A.

Poe said provincial buses are key to moving people and goods from Metro Manila and nearby regions and in providing a source of income to drivers long sidelined by the pandemic.

Bus stops and terminals must also be monitored for compliance with social distancing.

Proper and timely bus dispatch is essential to avoid overcrowding in bus stops and terminals and ensure safe distances inside the buses.

Cleanliness of facilities is a must at all times and disinfectants and sanitizers must always be available for the passengers' free use.

As public transport is crucial to shoring up the economy, Poe said every journey should ensure minimal risk of infection.

"Our workers are the driving force of the economy. If they will have difficulty in mobility, then the economy will also find it hard to get going," Poe said.