Passengers riding the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1) are now prohibited from talking inside trains to curb the spread of COVID-19, the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) said on July 10.
According to LRMC Corporate Communications Head Jacqueline Gorospe, some LRT1 passengers continued to remove their face masks while inside the train, especially when they have to take a phone call.
"Knowing 'yung COVID-19, nata-transmit siya through droplets, another layer of protection is if walang nagsasalita, walang lalabas na droplets," Gorospe said in an interview with DobolB sa News TV.
Talking without a face mask could help the virus spread, as it infects people through droplets.
"We remind our passengers na kailangan po i-postpone muna 'yung call. Or if they need to talk, kailangan nakasuot ang mask," she added.
To ensure this new policy is observed, marshalls will roam the LRT.
The pandemic has not come to a stop, and it has affected 8 of the LRT’s personnel. Said employees underwent quarantine, with 2 to 3 already in recovery and nearing the completion of their 14-day quarantine.