The order was issued following the declaration of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), placing the whole National Capital Region (NCR) and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal under Alert Level 3 in terms of coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
PCG-Negros Occidental Station Commander and Coast Guard District Western Visayas Seputy Commander Captain Ludovico Librilla, in an advisory, said all passenger ships must strictly observe the authorized passenger capacity of 70 percent as per Advisory 2021-577 of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).
Passengers inside the vessel must also observe the one-meter physical distance requirement.
Ferry operators were reminded that hand sanitizers and other disinfectants must be available at all times.
The ferry crew members must also carry out proper disinfection procedures regularly and everyone is ordered to properly wear their face masks.
Currently, there are no travel restrictions between Manila and Negros Occidental.
But Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson already warned on Monday, January 3, that travel restrictions may be imposed again if the number of Covid-19 cases in Metro Manila continues to go up.
