The Philippines’ Department of Transportation (DOTr) has confirmed that four ticket sellers and a train driver of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 were positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
This brings the total number to 172 to date, of which 166 are maintenance workers for the MRT 3’s underground depot. The first case from the country’s metro dates back to June 14.
“MRT 3 personnel who have contracted the coronavirus have now been admitted in government quarantine facilities at the World Trade Center, Philippine Arena and PhilSports Arena,” as per a statement from the DOTr.
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Contact tracing and swab tests are ongoing for those who had close contact with the patients. All disinfection activities in the MRT 3 stations have increased, with all personnel required to wear full protective gear.
“As part of efforts to intensify the protection being given to MRT 3 commuters, all MRT 3 personnel at the line’s depot, as well as those assigned at the stations and trains, are now required to wear full personal protective equipment,” as per the statement from DOTr.
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The MRT 3 now runs only 10-12 trains per day, down from 16-19 when it resumed operations. Authorities did not recommend a shutdown, citing that thousands of workers use the metro as their main means of transportation daily.
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