Jeepney drivers use boxes to enforce social distancing amid COVID-19 threat

Drivers in Manila have modified their jeepneys to comply with social distancing policy to fight coronavirus disease or COVID-19 by placing boxes in between the seats of the passengers.

In a Twitter post by Super Radyo dzBB’s Isa Umali, one of the jeepney drivers is seen placing old boxes of juices to maintain distance between his passengers.

In another Twitter post, a video showed another driver measuring an apparent safe distance between passengers before putting the box as a temporary barrier.

TINGNAN: Sa Maynila, para matiyak na masusunod ang "social distancing" sa mga jeepney, ang mga driver ay kusang naglalagay ng mga harang sa mga upuan ng jeepney. @dzbb pic.twitter.com/Qyp8youioK

— Isa Avendaño-Umali (@Isa_Umali) March 16, 2020

PANOORIN: Ang driver na ito, sinusukat pa ang distansya ng bawat harang na kanyang inilagay sa mga upuan ng jeepney.

Ang kanyang jeepney ay biyaheng San Andres-P. Faura sa Maynila. @dzbb pic.twitter.com/dKYVpd2X1C

— Isa Avendaño-Umali (@Isa_Umali) March 16, 2020

The Department of Transportation (DOTR) has already ordered public utility vehicles to observe social distancing amid the rising cases of COVID-19 cases in the country which has reached 140 as of March 15.

Metro Manila has also been placed under community quarantine and checkpoints have been set up on its borders. Workers are allowed to enter Metro Manila provided they have their company IDs.

These checkpoints and exemptions, however, have slowed down movement of people and vehicles, forming crowds. — Llanesca T. Panti/RSJ, GMA News