Stricter public transport guidelines are being implemented in the Philippines to prevent the spread of coronavirus after the country recorded the second most covid-19 cases in Southeast Asia breaching the 50,000 mark.
Footage shows a bus terminal in Quezon City in Manila with passengers in social distancing queues waiting for their turn to board the vehicle.
In the video, several health protocols must be met before a passenger boards the bus.
Commuters were asked to wear a mask, have their temperatures checked, and fill out a contact tracing form being allowed on the bus that can only travel at half-capacity.
One of the bus operators said: "We have extra staff to ensure that the passengers follow social distancing and all the new rules.
"We ask them to write their names, contact numbers, and the date and time of trip.
We also list the plate number of the bus they boarded." The contact tracing forms are used so that if a covid-19 case is reported, the authorities can easily find the passengers who have been in contact with them.
Buses and other forms of public transport also have cover the seats with plastic and place barriers between the driver and passengers.
The vehicle entrance should have a disinfectant foot bath which the passengers will have to step on before boarding and at the end of the trip the drivers must disinfect the surfaces that are frequently touched.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said all of these guidelines must be met before vehicles are allowed on the roads again.
He said: "All of these guidelines are made for the safety of the passengers and the drivers.
Violators will be subjected to penalties if found." The total number of confirmed cases in the country rose to 56,259 as of Sunday, July 12, with a growing number of deaths now reaching 1,534.
ENDS Subtitles: 0:44 - 0:48 We prepare a foot bath for the passengers to step on 0:50 - 0:52 We spray disinfectant inside the bus 0:53 - 1:00 We ensure that the passengers follow social distancing and follow our new procedures 1:09 - 1:19 We ask them to write their names, contact numbers, and the date and time of trip.
We also list the plate number of the bus they boarded 1:22 - 1:32 Our regulations include spraying alcohol, temperature checks, the form, and foot bath 1:33 - 1:38 The foot bath is the first thing we prepare 1:39 - 1:46 The employees are required to come wearing a mask, face shield, and gloves before our shift starts 1:51 - 1:57 Of course we are afraid as well, but this is our job so we need to do it 1:58 - 2:00 We do everything to take care of ourselves 2:01 - 2:09 I get scared but I have no choice because life is hard especially in these times 2:10 - 2:16 We need to make sacrifices to put food on the table.
I have a family who are waiting for me 2:17 - 2:18 The trip is hard 2:19 2:24 The lines are long and we are late for work most of the time 2:25 - 2:28 But the procedures in the terminal is fine, despite the long wait 2:29 - 2:36 I just hope they add more buses because there are not enough
