GOV’T EXTENDS DEADLINE FOR MOTORCYCLE BARRIERS

Motorcycle owners were given one more week, or until July 26, to give the motorists enough time to install either of the two barriers that were approved by the government for pillion riding.

“As per our Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Eduardo Año, from the original July 19, the deadline for motorcycle riders to comply with the required barrier for pillion riding is now moved to July 26,” said Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, chief of the Joint Task Force COVID Shield.

The barriers are meant to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the first design approved by the government consisted of a steel frame with plastic or plexiglass between the driver and the pillion. The other designs consisted of a backpack-like barrier worn by the driver.

Eleazar said the police task force recommended the extension of the deadline after consultations with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the Philippine National Police-highway Patrol Group and George Royeca, the designer of the backpack prototype.

“We hope that the twoweek grace period [is] more than enough for motorists to conform to the safety standards of the two approved designs to ensure the safety of both the driver and the riders,” he said.

“Like wearing of face masks, these motorcycle barriers will be part of the minimum health safety protocols that will be strictly implemented, unless [a] vaccine for COVID-19 is discovered and is made available to the public,” he added.