House rep wants face masks on public transport

House committee on transportation chairperson Edgar Mary Sarmiento is pushing for commuters to wear face masks or any other covering for their nose and mouth while using public transport to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Sarmiento emphasized the serious threat of COVID-19 and the importance of precautionary measures to protect both individuals and others.

He proposed this measure for all public transportation, including jeepneys, buses, trains, airplanes, and water vessels.

The lawmaker cited the Department of Health's declaration of Code Red, indicating local transmission and potential exponential spread of COVID-19, making necessary all measures to curb its spread.

Additionally, Sarmiento urged the Philippine National Railways and Light Rail Transit System management to regularly sanitize their vehicles to reduce transmission chances.

He stressed that public transportation services should continue despite the outbreak to prevent further economic damage.

Sarmiento believes that the public can contribute to preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 by covering their nose and mouth, as the virus is transmitted through droplets or saliva.