MANILA - Tricycles in San Juan City on Thursday resumed operations after more than 2 months of being barred from the streets due to the strict lockdown against COVID-19.

San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, who inspected terminals and tricycles on their first day of operations, said the fare will be P15 per trip to any point except West Crame and Greenhills.

Before they are allowed to operate, tricycle drivers must secure a health pass from the city's health office and tricycle regulatory board.

Of 900 tricycles in the city, over 400 have complied, according to Zamora.

A one-passenger policy per trip was implemented by the local government. Backrides are not allowed.

The city government also required drivers to observe precautionary measures against the spread of COVID-19, including wearing face masks, provision of alcohol and installation of a plastic divider between driver and passenger.

Tricycle drivers, passengers must observe precautionary measures against transmission of #COVID19, including wearing of face masks, provision of alcohol, disinfection of unit, installation of a plastic divider between driver, passenger #COVID19Quarantine @ABSCBNNews pic.twitter.com/2DlCMwTBr7

— Bianca Dava 🐈 (@biancadava) May 28, 2020

A safety officer from the Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association (TODA) will also be required to set proper social distancing between passengers and drivers while waiting in line.

“Per TODA, may safety officer. 'Pag may ma-scan na may sintomas, puwede sabihin ng driver na hindi muna pasakayin. Hindi na sila [pasahero] dapat payagang sumakay,” Zamora told reporters.

(Each TODA has a safety officer. If there's a tricycle driver that has symptoms, passengers won't be allowed to ride the vehicle.)

Tricycle driver Genero Cubelo Jr. said he was happy they are now allowed to operate, citing loses in earnings during the strict lockdown.

“Mga P700 to P800 po, ganon ang nawawala sa amin araw-araw. Nasa loob lang kami ng bahay. May relief naman kada linggo,” Cubelo told ABS-CBN News.

(We lost around P700 to P800 every day. We were just home. We received aid every week.)

“Masaya na. Magkakaroon na rin ng konting pera,” he added.

(We're happy now that we're going to earn a little.)

Driver Ben Astada, meanwhile, makes sure he regularly disinfects his unit.

Passengers welcomed the new guidelines for the operation of tricycles in the city.

“Mas maganda at mas safe. Kada biyahe, kami lang ang sakay. May social distancing,” passenger Jessie said.

(It's better and safer. Each trip we're the only passenger. There's social distancing.)

“Di na mapapagod mga namimili. Safe naman po dahil sa mga takip. Malaking tulong sa amin,” added another passenger, Frances Velasco.

(Shoppers won't get tired anymore. It's safe because there are dividers. It's big help for us.)

Zamora said the city is prepared should the national government further ease Metro Manila’s lockdown to general community quarantine.

• San Juan ready for general community quarantine: mayor