Due to the ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases, the Department of Transportation’s “No Vax, No Ride” policy shall be effective in Metro Manila from 17 Jan 2022. The new policy, which covers public transportation by land, sea, and air, will remain in place as long as Metro Manila is under Alert Level 3. At the time of writing, the metropolis will hold the alert level status until 31 Jan.
Whether public transportation is a part of your daily routine or you have any travel plans coming up, it’s essential to keep up with the new policy and what it entails. Keep reading to find how the “No Vax, No Ride” policy affects commuters, both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated.
Also read: How to Apply for a Bureau of Quarantine Yellow Card
Must-knows about the “No Vax, No Ride” policy
To curb the spread of COVID-19, the DOTr will be prohibiting unvaccinated commuters from taking public transportation by land, sea, and air. Those affected by this include those travelling to, within, and from Metro Manila.
Public transportation by land
Before being granted entry, commuters travelling by LRT, MRT, and PNR will be asked to present either a physical or digital copy of their vaccination cards issued by their respective LGUs. They may also be asked to present a vaccination certificate issued by the Department of Health or IATF, as well as a valid government-issued government ID. Jeepney riders are also encouraged to present their vaccination cards to their drivers.
Moreover, those taking these forms of transportation may also be in the company of “mystery passengers” who will be making sure that commuters are complying with the policy.
Public transportation by sea
Those travelling by sea are asked to present any of the following: an LGU-issued vaccination card; a vaccination certificate; or a document issued by the IATF permitting them to travel, in addition to a valid government-issued ID.
Public transportation by air
As for passengers travelling to or from Metro Manila by air, requirements include the following: a physical or digital copy of their LGU-issued vaccination card or a vaccination card issued by the DOH; a valid government-issued ID bearing the passenger’s name and address. Local airlines, specifically Philippine Airlines and AirAsia, have agreed to abide by the DOTr’s “No Vax, No Ride” policy.
Exemptions
Only a select few unvaccinated individuals will be able to travel via public transportation while the policy is in place. These include the following:
- Those with medical conditions that prevent them from being vaccinated (with a valid and duly signed medical certificate with the name and contact information of their doctor)
- Unvaccinated commuters who need to purchase essential goods (with a duly signed barangay health pass or proof to justify travel)
- Unvaccinated travellers who need medical attention (with a duly signed barangay health pass or proof to justify travel)
Also read: The Dos and Don’ts of Taking Care of Your COVID-19 Vaccination Card
For more information and updates, please visit the Department of Transportation’s official Facebook page.
Featured image credit: DOTr MRT-3 | Official Facebook Page
