Motorcycle riders told to comply with approved barrier designs

FILE: Prototype of the motorcycle barrier submitted by Bohol Governor Arthur Yap. (Photo: DILG/Website)

MANILA – Motorcycle riders are told to strictly follow the approved barrier designs to avoid road accidents.

“These two approved designs, the Bohol prototype, and the Angkas design underwent a thorough study which includes the concept of aerodynamics and were also tested for quality safety standards,” Joint Task Force Covid Shield commander Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said on Tuesday, as several posts on social media blame the government’s requirements for barriers as the reason for motorcycle accidents.

Eleazar said before approving the design, the National Task Force for Covid-19 made sure that the barriers are effective to shield riders from coronavirus infection and also safe from road accidents.

Eleazar said motorcycle accidents that are blamed on barriers could be a result of faulty installation or substandard materials used.

The NTF for Covid-19 allowed back riding on July 10 due to the public clamor to allow it for married and living-in couples.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the installation of a barrier was intended as the first shield from infection between the riders as any of them might catch the virus while in their respective places of work.