No Vaccine, No Ride Policy Being Implemented in Metro Manila

With the rising number of cases in the country, it seems inevitable that stricter measures will be implemented. One of these is the “No vaccine, no ride policy” in Metro Manila.

What exactly does this policy mean? And how can it impact people who rely on public transportation on a daily basis?

No Vaccine No Ride Policy: Here’s What You Need to Know

According to transport secretary Arthur Tugade, the policy covers all of Metro Manila. Passengers taking any form of public transportation shall be required to show their vaccination card, as well as ID. The goal of this policy is to curb the spread of infection that has steadily been increasing in the country.

Previously, mayors in Metro Manila have agreed to ban the entry of unvaccinated persons from malls and similar areas. Though, this has been put into question by some legal entities.

Some groups have claimed that the “No vaccine, no ride policy” is unconstitutional and unfair to those who haven’t been vaccinated. They point out that only 49% of the population has been fully vaccinated, so more than 50% of the population won’t be able to travel because of these restrictions.

They add that this can affect the livelihood of people who need to go to work, but still haven’t been vaccinated.

How safe is it to ride public transportation?

One of the reasons why COVID-19 spreads so easily is because it’s airborne. This means that in an enclosed space, a person coughing or sneezing can easily contaminate the air and potentially spread the virus.

Incidentally, some forms of public transportation are in an enclosed space. Cars, planes, buses, as well as the LRT and MRT are all enclosed vehicles. This means there is an increased risk of infection. And in Metro Manila, where millions of people take public transportation daily, this puts all of the commuters at a higher risk of infection.

This is the reason why disinfecting vehicles, limiting the number of passengers, and social distancing have all been implemented.

But at the end of the day, simply being in public transportation heightens a person’s risk for infection. So as much as possible, if you don’t need to go out and ride public transportation, it would be best to avoid doing so.

Though, if it can’t be avoided, it would be a good idea to practice some safety measures that can help keep you safe.

Here’s how to keep yourself safe

Of course, even if you have completed your vaccinations and have received the booster, there is still a chance that you can get infected. This is why it is still very important to practice some safety measures. These can help keep you safe, and also help stop the spread of disease.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Always wear a mask whenever you’re outside. If possible, wear an N95 mask since it provides the most protection.
• Maintain social distancing as much as possible.
• Be sure to get fully vaccinated, and ideally get the booster shot. The vaccine significantly increases your protection against COVID-19, and it is the best possible way to lower your risk.
• Avoid lingering indoors, especially in crowded places.
• Additionally, if you don’t need to go out or take public transportation, you should avoid doing so.
• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer especially if you’ve just gone out.
• Try to avoid going to gatherings, especially if you’re unsure if the people coming are vaccinated or not.

By following these tips, you can help lower the chances that you can get infected with COVID-19.

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