MANILA (UPDATE 2)—Motorcycle-hailing firms on Saturday announced the temporary halting of their passenger services in Metro Manila beginning Sunday, March 15, as a response to the government's community quarantine order in the region.
Angkas and JoyRide, in separate statements, said they would continue to run their respective delivery operations after the government advised the public to stay indoors.
Angkas Padala will continue to operate for those "unable to travel or leave their homes, or for emergency services," Angkas said in a statement.
JoyRide Delivery will "assist the government and the public in delivering essential goods in whatever manner or form during this time of public health emergency," JoyRide said.
Angkas said that once Metro Manila is confirmed safe, it will resume its passenger services.
The motorcycle-hailing companies announced the suspension of some of its services as the government implemented a "social distancing" policy to avoid the transmission of COVID-19, which has killed at least 8 and infected 103 others in the Philippines.
Ride-hailing firm Grab also suspended its ride-sharing option in Metro Manila and Cebu to adhere to the government's prescribed 1-meter distance between and among persons.
Public utility vehicles were also advised to limit their seating capacity, especially in trains that are usually packed during rush hours.
The Philippines has been under a state of public health emergency for nearly a week after the number of COVID-19 cases in the country spiked last weekend.
Metro Manila is set to be placed on a month-long lockdown to limit the exposure of the public to possible carriers of the virus that originated from Wuhan, China.
The World Health Organization has described the COVID-19 as a pandemic after the disease killed nearly 5,000 people and infected 110,000 others worldwide.