Solo motorists can drive sans masks, just keep window closed

MANILA: If you’re driving alone, you can opt not to wear a mask but the windows of your vehicle must be kept shut.

This is based on a message sent by PNP (Philippine National Police) spokesperson Brig. Ge. Bernard Banac to Inquirer.net on Wednesday.

Solo drivers must wear masks if their windows are open like in jeeps, delivery trucks, and vehicles without a climate control system.

Joint Task Force COVID-19 Shield commander Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar concurred with Banac.

“In my opinion, no need for a face mask if alone inside a 4-wheel vehicle,” said Eleazar.

Banac stressed that drivers caught not wearing face masks and with their windows open will be fined based on a matrix released by the LTO (Land Transportation Office) last May 21, 2020.

For ‘Non-compliance to sanitary measures’ the equivalent violation is ‘Reckless Driving’ which comes with a penalty of Php 2,000 for the first offense, Php 3,000 for the second offense, and Php 10,000 for the third and subsequent offenses.

“Kapag kita po na talagang hindi gumagamit (face mask) considered po ‘yon na lumabas na siya ng kaniyang pamamahay. Sisitahin po ‘yon.  Titiketan po ‘yon o aarestuhin [If they are seen without a face mask, that’s considered as someone outside of their home. They will be cited or arrested>,” said Banac.

There still seems to be lack of information dissemination between agencies involved in implemented the face mask policy for motorists as a solo lady driver was recently flagged down by an MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) enforcer for driving without a face mask on.

She tagged the MMDA in a grievance tweet and the agency responded by asking her to send the complaint to digitalmmda@gmail.com.

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Also read: Motorists, beware the LTO violations for breaking quarantine protocols