As a preemptive measure against the Delta variant, the Philippines will be on lockdown from August 6, 2021 to August 20, 2021. For 2 weeks, Metro Manila will be subjected to limited movement from all cities with Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), the strictest lockdown in the country.
From GCQ to ECQ, only a few industries will be fully operational. Check this link for the list. And with the myriad of terminologies, APOR has stood out, confusing the general populace as of the moment.
What’s an APOR, and who can go out during the ECQ? Here is a list, and your transportations options during this period.
Authorized Persons Outside Residence
APOR means Authorized Persons Outside Residence. These are people that can go out during the ECQ.
There are two kinds of APOR:
- Consumer APOR – A member of the household designated to buy goods on behalf of the group. Only one person per household can go outside to purchase necessities.
- Working APOR – these individuals can work during the ECQ because of the industry they’re in. The government released the list below.
- Health and emergency frontline services and uniformed Personnel
- Government officials and employees on official travel
- Duly-authorized relief and humanitarian assistance actors
- Persons travelling for medical or humanitarian reasons
- Persons going to and from the airport
- Anyone crossing zones for work in permitted industries
- Public utility vehicle operators
Here are the permitted industries on top of the essential ones. Take note; people can still go out for scheduled for vaccination.
Problems with not allowing Hatid-Sundo with an APOR and Non-APOR
The problem now is, what do you do if you are driving someone to work. And you’re a non-APOR? After all, only one can be designated. And as a non-APOR, you can’t go out.
The previous rule states that “Hatid-Sundo” is not allowed. The government’s reason? 50% of public transportation is operating now compared to the previous ECQ. Why the need for your own driver? After all, Filipinos can abuse the rule.
But these caused a public uproar. The government agencies were heavily criticized for these hassle. As Filipino citizens argue, isn’t safer if you use your own car? After all, you aren’t in close contact with possible carriers of COVID via transportation.
Allowing Hatid-Sundo for Working APOR
With this, the government gave consideration to our qualms. “Hatid-Sundo” is now allowed provided you have the following:
- Certificate of employment stating
- Details of the APOR
- Details of the Designated non-APOR Driver
- Description of the Car
- Business Permit of the Employer showing that its part of the permitted industries
What if a fellow APOR will fetch you? For example, a nurse cowoker fetched you. These requirements aren’t needed anymore because both of you are working APORs.
You Can’t Fetch Consumer APORs
On the contrary, you can’t fetch Consumer APORs. With this, you should appoint a person who knows how to drive to avoid any complications. If you don’t, you need to use public transportation for your needs. Here are the allowed transportation options during the ECQ.
- 1 Passenger per tricycle sidecar.
- 50% capacity for buses and jeeps, one seat apart. No standing passengers.
- Motorcycle taxi services and Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) are allowed.
- Trains are operational during the ECQ.
- Domestic and sea travel will continue but are subject to the restrictions per destination.
Conclusion
Trying times are ahead of us. With the vaccination roll-out plus the heightened restrictions, we hope that it would slow down the spread of the virus.
Let’s all do our part and still practice our own safety precautions.
