‘No vaccination, no ride’ policy to be enforced in Metro Manila, the Philippines

In line with the order of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to restrict the movement of people who are unvaccinated against COVID-19 in Metro Manila (one of the three defined metropolitan areas in the Philippines), which is currently experiencing a spike in virus cases, the Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Arthur Tugade, has ordered the enforcement of a ‘no vaccination, no ride/no entry’ policy for public transport, initially in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Secretary Tugade said that the enforcement of the no vaccination, no ride policy will be in effect while a COVID-19 Alert Level 3 or higher remains in place in the NCR, as to be determined by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF).

The Metro Manila Council, which is composed of all of the mayors of the NCR, also passed a resolution urging the various local government units of Metro Manila to pass their respective ordinances on the enhanced restrictions on the movement of unvaccinated people, following the President’s order.

“All concerned attached agencies and sectoral offices of DOTr are directed to ensure that operators of public transportation shall allow access or issue tickets only to ‘fully vaccinated persons’, as evidenced by a physical or digital copy of an LGU (local government unit)-issued vaccine card, or any IATF-prescribed document, with a valid government-issued ID with a picture and address,” the DOTr department order read.

According to the department order, a person is considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after receiving their second dose in a two-dose vaccination series.

However, people with medical conditions that prevent their full COVID-19 vaccination (proven by their doctor) and people who are buying essential goods and services (shown by a duly issued barangay health pass or other proof to justify travel) will be exempted from the no vaccination, no ride policy.

Under the department order, violations of the policy are considered violations of applicable general safety and health provisions under any concession or service agreements, authority or permits to operate of public transportation and other similar instrument.