So long, 'mystery passengers': 'No vax, no ride' policy is lifted in Alert Level 2 NCR starting Feb. 1
The "no vaccination, no ride" policy will be automatically lifted in Metro Manila as it de-escalates to Alert Level 2 starting Feb. 1, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced on Jan. 30.
Earlier in the day, acting palace spokesman Karlo Nograles announced that the capital and seven other regions will be placed under Alert Level 2, from Feb. 1 to 15.
The easing of the alert level also meant that "mystery passengers," or DOTr personnel disguised as regular passengers to monitor commuters, would be gone for the time being.
The "no vaccination, no ride" policy was implemented in Metro Manila on Jan. 17, much to the dismay of several netizens and organizations.
Even if the measure exempted residents with underlying medical conditions and those who need access to essential goods and services, the Commission on Human Rights stressed that it restricts ordinary Filipinos who "continue to rely on public transportation in attaining basic needs," thereby restricting their exercise of fundamental rights.
Partido Manggagawa, meanwhile, called out the “anti-poor" policy, saying that "in contrast, rich people—vaccinated or not—are free to move around since they have cars to use. These unfair and biased policies disproportionately impact people in the laylayan."
