Back-riding restrictions relaxed
The relaxed restrictions on motorcycle riders while the MECQ is in effect is meant to alleviate the plight of essential workers who are classified as Authorized Persons Outside Residence
The National Task Force Against COVID-19 on Tuesday announced it will allow pillion-riding for motorcycles in areas reverted to the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) to alleviate the plight of commuters due to the halt in operations of public modes of transportation.
NTF COVID-19 chairman and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana approved the lifting of some restrictions for back-riding in the National Capital Region (NCR), Laguna, Rizal, Cavite, and Bulacan even for non-married or common-law couples provided the driver and passenger are on the road for workrelated travel.
According to PLt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, commander of the Joint Task Force COVID Shield, the law enforcement arm of the national body addressing the coronavirus disease pandemic, the relaxed restrictions on motorcycle riders while the MECQ is in effect is meant to alleviate the plight of essential workers who are classified as Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR).
“Since public transportation is not allowed in Metro Manila and the four provinces under MECQ from 4 August to 18 August, motorcycle back-riding will be an essential mode of transportation to ensure that no front liners and other essential workers would be stranded as they go out to report to work and on their way back home,” Eleazar said.
Under the guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID), the use of bicycles and motorcycles are encouraged during the MECQ.
Pillion-riding for motorcycles is allowed even for non-couples on the following conditions: (1) The backrider/ passenger is an essential worker or APOR and the travel is work-related even if the driver and the passenger are not related; (2) The driver is equipped or the motorcycle is installed with the prescribed barrier; and (3) The motorcycle is privately-owned, is not for hire, and was not hired during the trip.
All motorcycle drivers and passengers must present to the policemen manning the Quarantine Control Points (QCP) an identification card and other documents attesting that they are essential workers and APOR and that the travel is work-related.
Eleazar, however, clarified that people who just want to avail of essential goods and other services outside their communities will not be allowed to backride since they are not considered APOR or essential workers.
A circular had already been cascaded by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, PGen. Archie Gamboa to all police commanders in the NCR and the four provinces under the MECQ on how the guidelines for back-riding should be implemented.
“We hope that this will help our medical workers and other front liners a lot during the entire MECQ period, and we also ask motorcycle riders to follow the guidelines to ensure their smooth and safe travel,” concluded the police official.
For the next two weeks, public transport will be halted and domestic flights grounded to try and slow the spread of the virus, which has killed more than 2,000 people in the country.
People have been ordered to stay home unless they need to buy essential goods or exercise outdoors.
Only a limited number of businesses will be allowed to operate and restaurants will be permitted to do take-aways only.