Last 11 January 2022, The Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade ordered the implementation of No Vaccination, No Ride/No Entry Policy in the National Capital Region (NCR). The Enforcement is effective while a COVID-19 Alert Level 3 level or higher remains in the NCR as determined by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF).
“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 copies of an LGU (local government unit)-issued vaccine card, or any IATF-prescribed document, with a valid government issued ID with picture and address,” the DOTr department order read.
How do we determine if a person is fully vaccinated?
According to the Department Order, a person is considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two(2) weeks after receiving their second dose for a 2-dose vaccination set, such as with the Pfizer, Moderna, AztraZeneca, Sinovac, and other brands of vaccines that requires 2 doses. For a single-dose vaccine such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, it is also two(2) weeks after they receive their vaccine.
Following are Exempted from the “no vaccination, no ride” policy :
• 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.
• 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 travel.
Under the 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.
