CHR appeals ban on pregnant women, elderly in LRT,MRT during GCQ

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to review the ban on pregnant women and senior citizens from riding MRT and LRT once Metro Manila shifts to general community quarantine (GCQ).

“We appeal to the Department of Transportation to revisit this policy,” CHR Commissioner Karen Gomez-Dumpit said. She added the ban could be considered discriminatory.

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The Interagency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases included the ban on its guidelines for public transportation once the GCQ begins.

The guidelines state that senior citizens should remain at home at all times, “except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining essential goods and services or for work in permitted industries and offices.”

The same rule applier for minors (in this case, those below 20 years old and not 18) and pregnant women, although the exceptions apply only to trains.

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Dumpit said banning pregnant women, and the elderly from riding the MRT and LRT would also restrict their ability to buy essentials goods, avail services, or go to work.

CHR appeals ban on pregnant women, elderly in MRT and LRT during GCQ

The CHR Commissioner also pointed out that the group affected by the ban would only avail other modes of public transportation like buses.

“This also exposes [them] to the commuting crowd, and negates the purpose of the ban. The ban only limits their options,” said Dumpit.

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Dumpit added the ban would also send a message that it is acceptable to prevent senior citizens and pregnant women from accessing public transportation.

“There is no telling how this could later result in individually-imposed restrictions, such as by tricycle, jeepney, and bus operators and drivers. This policy, as benign as its justification may be, may result in individual acts of discrimination,” she said.

The Commissioner suggested that instead of a total ban, MRT and LRT management should strictly implement physical distancing and observe hygiene protocols to protect those who are at high risk of acquiring the disease.

The CHR also appealed to the government to reconsider its GCQ policy that prohibits the elderly to go out of their homes.

As a result, senior citizens who are working and living alone would be allowed to go out during ECQ.