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MRT fields record-high 22 train sets as gov't expands public transportation

Arianne Merez, ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Sep 22 12:00 PM

The MRT-3 deployed a new record-high 22 train sets this week as the Philippines sought to expand public transportation to resuscitate the coronavirus-hit economy.   Read more »

PUV drivers risk fines with 1-meter distancing violation: police

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Sep 18 12:31 PM

Public utility vehicle drivers could have their license confiscated and face a fine if their passengers are seated less than a meter apart, a rule meant to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, police said Friday.    Read more »

More PUVs instead of shorter distancing? Transport dept says already doing so

ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Sep 18 08:54 AM

The transport department said Friday it was already letting more public vehicles back on the road, even before medical experts asked them do so instead of cutting coronavirus distancing rules to accommodate more passengers. Read more »

2 ex-DOH chiefs back shorter coronavirus distancing in public vehicles

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Sep 18 07:34 AM

A group of experts that include former Health Secretaries Esperanza Cabral and Manuel Dayrit support the easing of physical distancing rules meant to curb coronavirus infections in the mass transport system. Read more »

For first time in 20 years, MRT deploys record-high 21 trains

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Sep 17 12:28 PM

For the first time in its 20-year operation, the MRT-3 this week deployed a record-high 21 train sets, the Department of Transportation said Thursday, as the Philippines sought to serve more passengers and open up the coronavirus-hit economy.    Read more »

'Building a boat as it battles storm': Philippines needs to invest in health system, says ex-SARS fighter

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Sep 17 11:42 AM

The Philippines needs to invest in its healthcare system instead of scrounging for resources in the middle of a health crisis, which will be like trying to fix a boat as it sails during a storm, former Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit said Thursday.    Read more »

Thou shall use bleach, not talk: Experts float '7 Commandments' vs coronavirus in PUVs

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Sep 17 10:27 AM

A group of medical experts that includes Former Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit on Thursday proposed “7 commandments” to keep passengers safe from the pandemic onboard public vehicles.  Read more »

1-meter rule ‘not gospel truth’: Experts back PUV distancing cut

ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Sep 17 10:27 AM

A group of medical experts on Thursday backed the easing of physical distancing rules in public vehicles and proposed “7 commandments” to keep passengers safe from the pandemic. Read more »

DOTr urged: Let experts examine data on coronavirus distancing cut

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Sep 16 04:37 PM

The transportation department should be "transparent" in the data that supposedly justify its easing of physical distancing rules meant to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus in the mass transport system, a member of an inter-disciplinary research group from the University of the Philippines said Wednesday.    Read more »

Philippine virus testing best in Asia? No, says UP expert

ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Sep 16 02:11 PM

A member of an inter-disciplinary research group from the University of the Philippines rejected Wednesday a government claim that the country holds the best coronavirus testing record in Asia.    Read more »

Why is physical distancing vital in COVID-19 fight?

Jamaine Punzalan, ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Sep 16 09:03 AM

Overcrowding is “a major source of infection”, an expert from the University of the Philippines said Wednesday, after regulators eased physical distancing rules meant to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus in the mass transport system.    Read more »

Relaxed coronavirus distancing in public transport a 'product of research': DOTr

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Sep 15 01:56 PM

A proposal to ease physical distancing rules inside public transportation was a "product of research," despite the warning of several experts that this could spur infections, Transportation Secretary Art Tugade said Tuesday. Read more »

October, November expected to be 'tougher' in Europe with more coronavirus deaths: WHO

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Sep 14 03:44 PM

COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- The World Health Organization expects Europe to see a rise in the daily number of COVID-19 deaths in October and November, the head of the body's European branch told AFP on Monday. Read more »

Metro Manila mayors apprehensive over relaxed coronavirus distancing rules

ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Sep 14 03:41 PM

The 17 mayors of Metro Manila have “apprehension” over the easing of physical distancing rules meant to prevent coronavirus infections in the mass transport system, their representative said Monday.    Read more »

Duterte urged: Appoint COVID-19 data czar after scores of ‘recoveries’ turn out to be deaths

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Sep 14 11:30 AM

President Rodrigo Duterte should consider appointing a data analyst czar, his pandemic task force’s former adviser said Monday, after scores of coronavirus recoveries that the health department reported later turned out to be deaths.    Read more »

Easing distancing rules 'risky', may trigger surge in COVID-19 cases: experts

Jamaine Punzalan, ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Sep 14 11:55 AM

The government’s “risky” easing of physical distancing rules in public transport may fuel the spread of the novel coronavirus, two health experts warned Monday.  Read more »

Philippines eases coronavirus distancing rules in public transport

ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Sep 14 08:57 AM

The Philippines on Monday eased distancing rules meant to contain the coronavirus pandemic in public vehicles, to which some infections were previously traced.    Read more »

Saudi to ease international flight restrictions from Sept. 15

Agence France-Presse
Posted at Sep 14 07:36 AM

Saudi Arabia will partially lift its suspension on international flights from September 15, the interior ministry said Sunday, six months after travel curbs were imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic.   Read more »

Use part of DPWH funds to aid poorest Pinoys in 2021 budget, says Drilon

ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Sep 14 07:48 AM

The national budget for next year should include funds for cash aid that will help the poorest Filipinos weather the coronavirus pandemic, a senator said Monday.  Read more »

Vaccine-makers keep safety details quiet, alarming scientists

Katie Thomas, The New York Times
Posted at Sep 14 07:30 AM

The morning after the world learned that a closely watched clinical trial of a coronavirus vaccine had been halted last week over safety concerns, the company’s chief executive disclosed that a person given the vaccine had experienced serious neurological symptoms.   Read more »