The city government has lifted the mandatory use of plastic barriers in public utility vehicles (PUVs) and motorcycles effective Tuesday.

It, however, encouraged its voluntary use among drivers and commuters.

Mayor Sara Duterte released Executive Order (EO) 63, which mandated drivers and operators to continue implementing the mandatory wearing of face masks and physical distancing inside the vehicles.

Hezel Lingo Bautista, a daily commuter, has lauded the loosening of restrictions.

“Actually, the plastic barriers on the PUVs bring discomfort as some drivers are unable to clean it. While traveling, there are instances when it touches your face due to the wind,” she told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in the vernacular during an interview on Wednesday.

Bautista, however, said there is no room for complacency since the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic lingers and everybody still needs to follow health protocols.

The EO cited that the lifting was based on the decreasing Covid-19 cases and high vaccination rate in the city.

The City Health Office, in its Covid-19 daily case bulletin, has reported a total of 895 active cases as of Monday.

About 61.45 percent of Dabawenyos have received their second dose of vaccine.

Loraine Vinluan, a private company worker who is usually fetched by her husband using their motorcycle, said the order is a relief for her.

“I am happy. To be honest, it does not help us since its implementation and we did not see it as a tool to prevent Covid-19 because we stayed under one roof,” she said.

For Arjay Delino, a government worker, the lifting of the barrier policy is a big help to riders.

“We thank the local government for heeding our call. It is a hassle on our part to keep on bringing the barrier even if we go to malls because we are afraid it would be stolen when leaving it in our motorcycles in the parking lots,” Delino said.

He also cited that the use of the barrier is risky for the back-rider who holds on to it instead of the driver for safety. (PNA)