Singson sets Ilocos Sur travel rules

By April M. Bravo

VIGAN CITY – Gov. Ryan Luis Singson issued executive order 29 on April 11 allowing utility vans (UVs) and public utility jeepneys (PUJs) to travel under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ)/ECQ in this province and transport health workers, frontliners, and workers of establishments permitted to operate.
    “There is a need to help Ilocos Sur folks especially our health workers and frontliners in travelling to work but without necessarily compromising restrictions set for LGUs under the MECQ/ECQ.”
    Only vehicles with franchise and special permits issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) are allowed to travel.
     A number coding scheme was also be implemented to regulate the number of vehicles  travelling within the province. 
    Vehicles ending in numbers 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 are allowed to operate on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
    Those ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 can operate on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday while there is no coding on Sunday.
    To facilitate loading and unloading of passengers coming from MGCQ to MECQ/ECQ areas and vice-versa, all UVs/PUJs shall limit drop off and pick up points within the national highway.
    An LGU where a terminal is situated, however, may allow UV/PUJ to enter their jurisdiction provided they shall not be allowed to drop off/pick up within the area other than the designated terminal of the LGU.
    For this purpose, the LGU shall provide the necessary terminal protocols to be observed taking into consideration the protocols provided in this EO.
    Operators, prior to dispatch from their garage must regularly examine the drivers’ fitness to work by checking their body temperature and screening/detecting any symptoms of Covid-19. Should a driver show symptoms of Covid-19, he shall be prohibited  to report to work and shall be subjected to quarantine immediately.
     Aside from routine pre-dispatch inspection and ensuring the roadworthiness of their units, all units shall be sprayed with disinfecting agent regularly.
    Drivers shall wear face masks and face shields at all times.
    All commuters are required to wear face masks and face shields in order to be allowed to board UVs/PUJs. “No face mask, no face shield, no rider” policy shall be strictly enforced.
    All units shall be disinfected. All high contact surfaces, especially seats, armrests, and handles must be wiped down with disinfecting agent at least twice during the trip, or after every trip, stop-over or change of vehicle personnel.
    UVs/PUJs shall operate at a reduced capacity. They shall be allowed only to transport a maximum of eight passengers including the driver.
    All drivers shall have a passenger list with the corresponding complete names, contact numbers, address, date and time of travel of each passenger.
    Passengers must be one seat apart inside UVs/PUJs.
    No talking and no eating inside UVs/PUJs.
    People are prohibited to make phone calls while inside the vehicle.
    No symptomatic passengers shall be allowed to travel.
     This order remains in force until the declaration of MECQ/ECQ in LGUs is lifted. -- PIA Ilocos Sur