Motorcycle back riding allowed for essential workers in MECQ

He said motorcycle riders and passengers should present to the policemen manning the Quarantine Control Points an identification card and other documents proving that they are essential workers and APOR and that their travel is work-related. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA – Motorcycle back riding has been allowed for authorized persons outside of residence (APOR) and essential workers subject to certain conditions in areas under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), the Joint Task Force Covid Shield announced on Tuesday.

Task force commander, Lt. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, said the National Task Force (NTF) on Covid-19 led by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has allowed motorcycle pillion riding in Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal even lifted some of the restrictions for back riding to make up for the suspension of public transportation under MECQ.

“Since public transportation is not allowed in Metro Manila and the four provinces under MECQ from August 4 to August 18, 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 in a statement.

Based on guidelines issued by the Philippine National Police (PNP), motorcycle back riding in MECQ areas will be allowed under the following conditions:

-The back rider/passenger is an essential worker or APOR and the travel is work-related even if the driver and the passenger are not related;

-The driver is equipped or the motorcycle is installed with the prescribed barrier; and

-The motorcycle is privately-owned, is not for hire and was not hired during the trip

Eleazar, however, clarified that people who just want to avail of essential goods and other services outside their communities will not be allowed to back-ride since they are not considered APOR or essential workers.

He said motorcycle riders and passengers should present to the policemen manning the Quarantine Control Points an identification card and other documents proving that they are essential workers and APOR and that their travel is work-related.

Eleazar earlier said that more checkpoints will be set up in areas under MECQ, particularly at the boundaries of cities and municipalities.

Meanwhile, motorcycle back riding is only allowed for couples and live-in partners with safety barriers in areas under the general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ.

“We hope that this will help our medical workers and other front-liners a lot the entire MECQ period, and we also ask motorcycle riders to follow the guidelines to ensure their smooth and safe travel,” said Eleazar.