Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade has ordered the mass swab testing of all personnel of the 4 railway lines along with their families.
The operations of the MRT-3, LRT-1, and LRT-2 resumed Monday after its stoppage for their Holy Week maintenance schedule while the Philippine National Railways (PNR) will resume
on April 9. However, the number of trains operated will be limited to give way to the mass testing.
As the number of COVID-19 cases in the (National Capital Region) NCR+ Bubble increases, the number of train personnel infected by COVID-19 also climbs. The PNR has 91 cases, MRT-3 has 107 cases, LRT-1 with 94 cases, and LRT-2 with the highest number at 136 cases.
DOTr Undersecretary Timothy John Batan pointed out that no passengers have yet been contact traced since all personnel are wearing full PPEs.
Meanwhile, the transportation department will implement bus augmentation to support the limited operation of the trains and to provide service to the passengers.###
Report from Karen Villanda/NGS-jbb
