Workers exempted from ‘No Vaxx, No Ride’ policy, DOTr clarifies

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) emphasized that partially vaccinated workers are still allowed to take public transportation when commuting to their respective workplaces or going on essential errands.

Workers belonging to essential industries are exempted from the No Vaxx, No Ride policy

“’Yung pagpunta sa trabaho is considered essential travel,” according to DOTr Undersecretary Artemio Tuazon during a meeting held by the House Committee on Health. “’Yung pagbili ng pagkain, tubig, yung mga ganoon po. ‘Yun ang mga exempted natin."

(Going to work is considered essential travel. So is buying food, water, things like those. Those are our exemptions.)

Under the DOTr’s ‘No Vaxx, No Ride’ policy, essential travel is listed as an exemption for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals for taking public transport. Those who refuse to take the vaccine on medical grounds are also allowed on board, provided that they can show a medical certificate signed by a doctor.   

Those on their way for license renewal or passport processing are also allowed to use public transport

Tuazon said that commuting workers must belong to industries that are allowed to operate under Alert Level 3. They will only be required to present their company ID or certificate of employment before boarding public utility vehicles. Even those who are scheduled for passport processing or license renewal must be exempted, he adds, as long as they can show proof of the appointment for the day.

The DOTr reiterates that those who are allowed to board public transportation despite not being completely vaccinated are: 

• Workers
• Individuals going for a medical checkup
• Individuals purchasing essential goods
• Individuals applying for a license or passport
• Individuals going to vaccination sites 

One of the following requirements should be presented before boarding: 

• Certificate of employment
• Company/Employee ID
• Medical appointment
• Barangay health pass to buy essential goods   
• Vaccination schedule

The clarification follows the first day of the measure’s implementation in Metro Manila, with reports of unvaccinated or partially vaccinated workers who were refused entry on public transportation, despite being on their way to work.

Several politicians have slammed the policy, calling it discriminatory. At a Malacañang briefing, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said that it was an unfortunate experience. “Exempted po ang mga workers natin because they are rendering essential services,” he said. “’Pag hininto mo ‘yan, paano gagalaw ang ating mga negosyo? ‘Pag walang negosyo, walang ekonomiya.”

(Our workers are exempted because they are rendering essential services. If you stop them, how will our businesses operate? When there’s no business, there’s no economy.)   

Those banned from taking public transport can talk to the team leader in charge of the area

For those barred from taking public transport despite presenting the necessary documents, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-National Capital Region (LTFRB-NCR) Director Zona Tamayo assures that the agency’s personnel have already been advised.

“Informed naman po ang ating mga enforcers. So kailangan lang nila puntahan ang team leader sa area kung saan sila sinita,” she said.  

(Our enforcers have already been informed about this. Workers just need to approach the team leader in the area where they were questioned.)

There are no exemptions to our mobility updates at Philkotse.com.