During the enhanced community quarantine, only three people, including driver, are allowed on board food vehicles and trucks, Agriculture Secretary William Dar reiterated.
“Food vehicles, haulers, delivery vans or trucks must only be occupied by a driver and two helpers, in compliance with the precautionary and safety measures imposed by the government in line with the enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine,” Dar said in a statement.
“We want an unhampered movement of agricultural products to ensure food supply to residents in the metro cities, but we also want to ensure that Filipinos remain healthy,” he added.
Limiting the number of people in the movement and delivery of farm produce is part of the government strategy to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to Department of Agriculture (DA).
“Therefore the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease) decided to limit the number of passengers allowed to join the delivery and reduce the possibility of contacting COVID-19,” Dar said.
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Following announcement of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine, DA issued guidelines on the granting of a food pass that allows food delivery vehicles, including trucks, vans, pick-ups, jeepneys, AUVs/MPV to pass through quarantine checkpoints.
READ: Special food lanes eyed, truckers told to get DA accreditation
“The food pass serves as a stamp which allows the smooth mobility of farm produce and other agri-fishery products, including farm inputs and implements, thereby benefitting farmers and consumers alike,” the DA chief said.
Photo courtesy of DA
