MANILA - Four ticket sellers of the MRT-3 tested positive for COVID-19, along with 1 train driver and 1 staff nurse, the railway's management said on Sunday.

The six new cases brought the total number of MRT-3 personnel who have been infected by the new coronavirus to 172.

Following this, all MRT-3 personnel at its depot, stations and trains are now required to wear personal protective equipment which includes face masks, face shields, gowns and gloves.

MRT-3 personnel are also now required to submit health declaration forms twice a day, the MRT-3 management said.

"The MRT-3 management assures that this health and safety protocol is being strictly followed to ensure the health and welfare of its employees and passengers," a statement posted on the railway's Facebook page said.

The railway's management said personnel who tested positive have been admitted to government quarantine facilities. MRT-3 personnel who have undergone RT-PCR testing have also been placed under quarantine pending the release of the test results, it said.

"Aside from RT-PCR testing, the MRT-3 management also conducts contact tracing within one to three days of the release of the RT-PCR tests. The identified primary contacts for those who tested positive for COVID-19 will be placed in quarantine and will be given priority in RT-PCR testing."

The MRT-3 depot and stations are also disinfected twice a day, while trains undergo 5-minute disinfection at the end stations at North Ave. and Taft.

The railway said it will resume operations on Monday after a two-day suspension to give way to the rehabilitation of its facilities.

Eleven train sets are set to be deployed tomorrow.

- Report from Jacque Manabat, ABS-CBN News