DOTr reminds commuters that talking is prohibited in public transpo 

As you know by now, the third and latest enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was unlike the first. This was because the general public had access to public transport. Now that we are in the modified community quarantine status (MECQ), more and more people are going out.

When taking the MRT/LRT, refrain from talking and don't forget your facemask and faceshield 

To this end, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has released some reminders that there will be some restrictions to further curb the spread of COVID-19. This is especially crucial now since the dreaded Delta variant of the said virus is already on Philippine shores. 

One of these safety measures is the “no talking while commuting” policy. This is especially important for means of transport that are enclosed and air-conditioned.   

So, does talking really spread COVID? Well, according to the Center of Disease Control (CDC) and many other health organizations, it indeed can. These small particles can be expelled from the mouth or nose every time we speak. For that matter, it is just as prolific as coughing and sneezing in spreading the said particles. 

The tiny particles, according to the CDC can, at a time, linger in the air as aerosol droplets which might contain the COVID-19 virus if it came from an infected person. 

So combined with social distancing and wearing facemasks/faceshield, the avoidance of talking inside trains, cars, buses, etc. might be a good idea. Being redundant for the sake of safety after all, is just plain better than facing the risk of hospitalization, and even death. 

Open-air jeepneys still have to use barriers in-between passengers

Of note, the no talking policy is one of the seven commandments for public transport. These include the donning of masks and face shields, no eating, keeping good ventilation, if possible, physical distancing, and routine disinfection. And last but not the least: people with COVID-19 symptoms will not be allowed inside public transport vehicles.  

To that end, we must all pitch in and follow these guidelines if we want to make it out of this pandemic sooner. And hopefully, the government and other concerned agencies will keep up their end by keenly enforcing these guidelines. Stay safe out there. 

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