MRT-3 completes Covid-19 testing; 6% of personnel tests positive

In a message on Thursday, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope Libiran said so far, the MRT-3 has found that 203 personnel were infected with Covid-19 out of its 3,304 workers—roughly 6.14 percent. (Pexels photo)

MANILA – Six percent of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) personnel have been found positive for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) after undergoing swab testing on Wednesday.

In a message on Thursday, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope Libiran said so far, the MRT-3 has found that 203 personnel were infected with Covid-19 out of its 3,304 workers—roughly 6.14 percent.

Of the infected, she said 183 were from the MRT-3 depot in North Avenue, three train drivers, two at the MRT-3 Operations Control Center, and 15 in different stations.

The 15 station personnel include a nurse and 14 ticket sellers—seven from North Avenue station, three from Cubao station, two from GMA-Kamuning station, one from Quezon Avenue station, and one on reserve status, Libiran said.

She clarified that while all MRT-3 workers have been tested since Wednesday evening, the results for those tested on Tuesday and Wednesday have not yet been released.

“Nakukuha yung resulta two to three days after testing. Wala pa resulta nung mga nagpa-test noong (Test results come two to three days after testing. There are no results yet for those tested on) July 7 and 8,” Libiran said.

No decision yet on resumption of MRT-3

Meanwhile, she said the resumption of operations of the MRT-3 on Saturday (July 11) is not yet guaranteed with so far only 1,199 personnel found negative for Covid-19.

While the MRT-3 earlier said it may resume limited operation of its train service with only 1,300 workers, she said each task, area, and station of the MRT-3 have their own minimum number of personnel necessary to resume operation.

“For example, on station personnel, out of 1,440, kailangan namin ng (we need) at least 1,038 to operate on a limited capacity. As of yesterday, we still need an additional 921 employees to test negative,” Libiran said.

To help address the transportation needs of those affected by the MRT-3 shutdown, DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade ordered the extension of the MRT-3 Bus Augmentation program’s deployment schedule beginning Thursday.

The first deployment of buses has been changed to 4 a.m. from 5:30 a.m. while the last deployment has been changed from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.