By Marisol Bo-oc | 11:26 PM August 18, 2020
Starting on Wednesday, August 19, motorcycle barriers are no longer needed, the Joint Task Force COVID Shield announced on Tuesday night.
However, this will only apply to the riders living in the same house in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ).
The Joint Task Force COVID Shield said the national task force for COVID-19 approved this along with other measures for protocols in motorcycle backriding.
But Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, commander of the JTF COVID Shield, said that the barriers will continuously be required for motorcycle pillion riding that involves riders and back-riders who are not living in the same house.
“All they have to do is to present proof that they indeed live in the same house to avoid being apprehended and cited for violation of the motorcycle back-riding,” said Eleazar.
For areas under GCQ, riders not living in the same house must have an Angkas designed barrier.
As for the riders, the backrider must be an authorized person outside of residence, while the driver may not be. Both should wear face mask and full-face helmet.
Motorcycle to be used should be privately owned, JTF said.
For those areas under modified general community quarantine, local government units have the option to implement the said guidelines depending on the situation in their areas.
