Fines deferred for same household car riders without masks

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will defer the imposition of fines and penalties on motorists who will be caught not wearing face masks in private vehicles with members of their households.

The government decided to iron out the protocols in the implementation of the policy.

In a press conference yesterday, LTO chief Edgar Galvante said enforcers should not fine motorists caught violating the policy.

Transportation Assistant Secretary Goddes Libiran said the Department of Transportation ordered the deferment of the apprehensions related to the policy while the Department of Health (DOH) and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) have yet to decide on the matter.

“This matter is set for discussion among members of the IATF. The enforcement details need to be ironed out if they agree to implement exemptions (for riders of a car who come from the same household),” Libiran said.

The policy drew flak from vehicle owners, with some complaining that they were fined more than P2,000 for driving a car with family members not wearing face masks.

Galvante explained the apprehensions made earlier were guided by an issuance from the IATF and DOH in implementing the measure inside private vehicles.

A DOH advisory issued on Jan. 28 stated that those “driving alone or with members of their own households may remove their masks when in the vehicle.”

Libiran and Galvante said when the face mask regulations in private vehicles were approved by the IATF last year, provisions on those who come from the same household were not yet clear.

Once the DOH and IATF finish deliberations on the matter, Galvante said the LTO would follow their decision.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles clarified that those driving alone may remove their masks while in the vehicle.

“I think that is only logical. If there is no one in the vehicle with you, you cannot infect anyone else,” Nograles said.

He reiterated that the easing of quarantine restrictions and the forthcoming rollout of the government’s COVID-19 vaccination program should not lead to complacency. “Everyone still has to do their part to halt the spread of COVID-19,” he said.

The agency added that wearing of face masks is mandatory when riding with other people, especially those from different households, and high-risk individuals. – Christina Mendez, Sheila Crisostomo