The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has allowed the resumption of limited work in 13 rail projects amid the imposition of Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Tuesday.
“The IATF approves the request of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to allow the resumption of utility relocation works and resume specified limited works across 13 rail projects,” Nograles, spokesperson of IATF-EID, said in a virtual press briefing aired on state-run PTV-4.
Nograles said the IATF-EID is also allowing the rail replacement works for Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 when the rail system is not undergoing passenger operations.
Aside from MRT-3 rehabilitation, Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope Libiran said other projects that will resume limited works are Light Rail Transit (LRT-1) Cavite Extension, LRT-2 East Extension, LRT-2 West Extension, LRT-2 Fire Restoration, MRT-7, Metro Manila Subway, MRT-LRT Common Station in North Avenue in Quezon City, Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark 1, PNR Clark 2 and Calamba, Subic-Clark Railway, PNR Bicol, and the Mindanao Railway.
He said the DOTr should observe limited mobilization of personnel and skeletal staffing pattern.
He added that “on- or near-site” accommodations and point-to-point shuttle services should be provided to workers.
Nograles said regular disinfection of workplaces, shuttles, and accommodations should also be done.
He stressed that the IATF-EID also advised the regular monitoring of health of workers, especially those who are exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19.
He said “strict” social distancing measures and proper hand hygiene must likewise be observed.
“All other precautionary measures that the DOTr may implement (must be) observed at all times,” Nograles said.
The entire Luzon was initially placed under enhanced community quarantine until April 12.
Duterte said he is inclined to extend the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon until April 30 to contain the spread of Covid-19.
The Philippines has so far 3,660 confirmed cases of Covid-19, with 163 fatalities and 73 recoveries.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1099045
