Effective Aug. 19, motorcycle riders and backrides living in the same house in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) are no longer required to have barriers between them, the National Task Force on COVID-19 said.
Meanwhile, those who do not live under the same roof should still have backpack-like shields, like those designed by ride-hailing company Angkas.
New rules on motorcycle backrides
The National Task Force approved the transition protocol on motorcycle backriding just as Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal reverted into GCQ status.
Under the new policy, motorcycle riders will be allowed to ride without barriers with same-household backrides only if:
- the backride is an authorized person outside of residence (APOR), while the driver may or may not be an APOR
- the motorcycle is privately owned and not for hire
- both rider and backride wear masks and full face helmets at all times during the ride
“Backriders are now allowed, if they have the same address they are not required to wear the barrier. However, they are still required to wear helmets, face masks and face shields. If they are of different addresses, then they will have to use the Angkas-type barrier,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said during an interview with CNN Philippines.
No more barriers in GCQ areas
The task force also said the new rules will apply on GCQ areas and that local authorities will be given discretion to adopt or implement similar policies, based on their local situation.
Aside from Metro Manila and adjacent provinces, the following areas were also placed under GCQ starting Aug. 19: Nueva Ecija, Batangas, Quezon, Iloilo City, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City, and the municipalities of Minglanilla and Consolacion in Cebu province. The rest of the country stays under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).
Meanwhile, Joint Task Force COVID Shield commander, Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar reminded riders and their backrides to bring IDs and documents as proof of living under the same roof.
“But they have to show proof, either identification card, certification from the barangay, or any document showing that both the rider and the back rider have the same address to avoid being apprehended and cited for violation of the rules on pillion riding,” Eleazar said in a statement sent to reporters.
In July, the government task force required the installation of motorcycle barriers or backpack-type plastic shields for couples living under the same household. Violators were apprehended by authorities in checkpoints.
Lawmaker, motorcycle group react
In a statement, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto expressed relief on the task force’s decision not to require barriers anymore for same-household riders. “The barrier to common sense has finally been lifted,” he said.
“No IATF rule triggered the greatest resistance and launched the most jokes. And the fact that they stonewalled for a long time and stubbornly defended it, despite evidence to the contrary, inflicted damage on their reputation. People were saying that if IATF can’t understand this simple thing, how can they be trusted on complex missions,” he added.
Even before the motorcycle shield policy was relaxed, the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association (MDPPA), composed of representatives from Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha, have expressed concern on the mandatory barriers.
In a statement released last July, the MDPPA called the barriers, “an additional fixture” that will “negatively affect stability and handling of a motorcycle, thus, inevitably compromising safety of its occupants.”
The group likewise said that, “As far as COVID-19 prevention is concerned, a motorcycle rider’s situation is much better than those sitting inside an enclosed vehicle breathing recirculated air.”