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Under Alert Level 3, the DOTr will maintain 70 percent capacity on all rail lines.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) would severely enforce health procedures both on board trains and in rail facilities such as stations and depots.

This comes after the National Capital Region (NCR) was upgraded to Alert Level 3 because of an increase in Covid-19 infections.

The execution of severe health precautions to minimize the spread of the virus would continue, according to DOTr Secretary Art Tugade, even as the current 70 percent passenger capacity on all train lines is maintained.

“All rail lines will maintain their current 70 percent passenger capacity under the Alert Level 3 status, as suggested by our railroad’s sector, provided that strong health precautions to prevent the spread of Covid-19 are maintained.” This is to prevent ‘bottlenecking,’ or overcrowding of passengers at stations, which could raise the danger of viral transmission,” Tugade said in a statement on Sunday.

Tugade stated that any alterations or adjustments to rail lines’ passenger capacity, as well as other modes of public transportation, shall be subject to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases’ recommendations (IATF).

Antigen testing at random

TJ Batan, DOTr Undersecretary for Railways, stated that random antigen testing will assist the DOTr in determining the level of Covid-19 present in train lines.

“The random antigen testing of willing and consenting passengers is designed to aid us in the adoption of any additional precautions that may be required.” Passengers who volunteer to be tested will be allowed to continue their trip after testing, and their test results will be sent to them via text message,” Batan said.

Apart from random antigen testing of passengers, the deployment of train marshals to enforce health procedures within trains and stations will be optimized.

“While inside trains, deployed train marshals will ensure that all passengers wear face masks and do not talk, eat, or use mobile phones.” In addition, given the existing passenger capacity, the deployed train marshals will enforce the physical distancing requirement within trains, where relevant. Physical separation, on the other hand, would be tightly enforced in station platforms and on station grounds,” Batan added.

Tugade also ordered the frequent disinfection of trains, platforms, stops, and depots, as well as the continuation of contact tracking methods.

Meanwhile, to assure the safety of all rail facilities, the DOTr has mandated that all rail staff undergo antigen testing in accordance with current Department of Health procedures.

Physical reporting at rail lines personnel’s offices will be limited to 60%, as opposed to the minimum of 30% required by Alert Level 3 criteria.

Similar strengthened precautions will be undertaken for construction workers and other people deployed at the DOTr Rail Sector’s numerous rail projects, which will be coordinated with its contractors and consultants.

Tugade also ordered that all rail staff be checked for immunization and booster doses, and that booster shots be administered to rail personnel to improve operational resilience.

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