40 PPA personnel test positive for COVID-19

A total of 40 employees of the Philippine Ports Authority in its head office and in the National Capital Region tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

PPA vice chairman and general manager Jay Santiago said the personnel were sent home for isolation after they tested positive through an antigen test Monday.

Meanwhile, more than 100 personnel of Metro Manila’s rail lines—17 from Metro Rail Line 3 (MRT3) and 87 from Philippine National Railways (PNR)— also tested positive for COVID-19.

The National Capital Region was placed under Alert Level 3 from January 3 to 15, 2022 following the steep increase in new COVID-19 infections in the country.

Under Alert Level 3, public transport is capped at 70%. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has warned public utility vehicle operators to ensure that the maximum capacity is being followed, and violators could face fines and have their units impounded.

Penalties for violating PUV franchise conditions could range from hefty fines to the impounding of the involved PUV, while drivers could also face additional criminal complaints.

The Philippines on Monday recorded 4,084 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the country’s active case tally to 24,992. The total caseload now stands at 2.855 million which includes 2.779 million recoveries, and 51,586 deaths.—Jon Viktor Cabuenas/AOL, GMA News