DOTr implements "no vax, no ride" policy in Metro Manila

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is now barring unvaccinated individuals from using public transportation while the country's capital is under the stricter Alert Level 3.

File photo: EDSA Boni area

DOTr issues public transpo policy

The "no vaccination, no ride" policy comes as the Philippines, particularly the National Capital Region, faces another COVID spike.

Released on Wednesday, Department Order No. 2022-001 is limiting public transport via land, rail, sea, and air will be limited to fully vaccinated individuals, or those who have waited two weeks after completing two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. The order also applies to Filipinos who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine.

Under the policy, the DOTr is requiring passengers to present physical or digital copies of their vaccination cards issued by a local government unit or a vaccine certificate provided by the Department of Health, or any document prescribed by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

They also need to present a valid government-issued ID with a picture and address.

Who is exempted from the rule? The DOTr said people who have medical conditions that prevent them from getting full COVID-19 vaccination and people who need to get essential goods and services.

The policy will remain as long as the capital is under Alert Level 3 or higher.

Yesterday, the Department of Health reported that three million people nationwide have already been hit by the virus, nearly two years into the pandemic.

Source: DOTr