The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Central Visayas is calling on drivers and operators in Cebu to be serious in disinfecting their public utility vehicles to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Eduardo Montealto Jr., LTFRB-7 regional director, said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has required vehicles for public transport to be disinfected at every end of the travel line to keep commuters safe from Covid-19.

“They need to disinfect the interior portion of the bus or jeepney. They need to be extra careful in disinfecting the plastic barriers. Basin namilit na ang virus sa plastic barriers (They should see to it that virus won’t stay in the plastic barriers),” he said in a radio interview.

He also reminded the drivers to take only 75 percent of the capacity to keep passengers physically distanced from each other but LGUs may reduce it to 50 percent.

Montealto’s statement came after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) placed Cebu province under modified enhanced community quarantine, which was later on downgraded to general community quarantine.

Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia issued a new executive order on Monday night, allowing non-airconditioned transport vehicles to operate during the GCQ with heightened restrictions, but if these are airconditioned, they should leave the windows open while on travel.

Garcia’s order will take effect at midnight on Tuesday and will end on Aug. 15.

“Air-conditioned vehicles such as buses, PUVs, and taxis shall be allowed to operate from Fridays to Mondays without air-conditioning,” Garcia’s executive order read.

She also supported Montealto’s call to the drivers and operators to regularly disinfect their units.

“Drivers shall, at all times, wear facemasks and personal air purifiers,” the governor’s order said.

Meanwhile, Cebu South Bus Terminal manager Carmen Quijano said bus operators in Cebu will continue to ply under the GCQ but without air-conditioning.

Montealto said if the drivers and operators will not comply with the health regulations amid the pandemic, they will be liable for failure to follow the terms and conditions of the franchise.

Violators will be slapped with a fine of PHP5,000 for the first offense, PHP10,000 for the second offense, and PHP15,000 with suspension of franchise on the third offense. (PNA)