Unvaccinated, half-vaccinated workers in NCR can take PUVs for 30 days from today

MANILA: Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated workers are allowed to ride public transport for 30 days starting today (January 26), the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced in a release.  

The exemption comes after the DOTr's  "no vaccination, no ride" policy was implemented. 

Half-vaccinated individuals are expected to complete their vaccination doses during the 30-day period. Those who fail to do so will be prohibited from riding public transport again, the DOTr release explained. 

DOTr Undersecretary for Administrative Service Artemio Tuazon Jr. said the decision intends to protect the unvaccinated and partially vaccinated from contracting COVID-19 in public transportation.

The 30-day period is implemented by the DOTr, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). 

"We want our workers to get fully vaccinated especially...there is a threat of highly transmissible variants of the virus. We are giving our workers the time to get themselves vaccinated,” Tuazon expressed.

The DOTr official reiterated that the "no vaccination, no ride" is not discriminatory. 

"Workers who will remain unvaccinated 30 days after the announcement are not being barred from their workplaces," Tuazon stated. 

"They are simply not allowed to use public transportation, but can still use other means such as active transport, private vehicles, or company shuttle services,” the DOTr official concluded. 

The 30-day window is given to individuals working in industries and establishments that are allowed to operate under the COVID-19 Alert Level 3 status in the Metro.

Photo from Department of Transportation (DOTr)

Also read: DOTr reiterates exemptions on ‘no vax, no ride’ policy