Exemptions under ‘No vax, no ride’ policy in NCR public transport

THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) clarified matters pertaining to the exemptions provided in the “No vaccination, no ride/entry” policy of public transportation, which took effect on Monday, January 17.

It said that giving exemption to essential workers is not a new protocol enforced after the policy’s pilot implementation.

Prior to the full implementation of the “No vax, no ride” policy last Monday, the DoTr has repeatedly emphasized the exemptions through its department order (DO) published in newspapers on January 12 and in our press releases, media announcements and press conferences thereafter.

As stated in the DO, those exempted from the “No vaccination, no ride” policy are persons with medical conditions that prevent their full Covid-19 vaccination as shown by a duly-signed medical certificate with the name and contact details of their doctor; and persons who will buy essential goods and services, such as but not limited to food, water, medicine, medical devices, public utilities, energy, work, and medical and dental necessities, as shown by a duly issued barangay health pass or other proof to justify the travel.

These exemptions provided in the DoTr policy are in line with the IATF Guidelines on those who are allowed to work in essential industries under Alert Level 3.

The DoTr said, “The policy is not anti-poor. It was made to protect all — both the vaccinated and the unvaccinated — to safeguard the most vulnerable, unburden our health care system, and give our exhausted medical workers some space to breathe. Hence, we dispel various misinformation that has muddled up the message.”

“While the policy will only take effect as Metro Manila is on Alert Level 3 (or higher), we at DoTr sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this may cause to the riding public,” it added.