Motorcycle riders given one more week to place barriers

MANILA, Philippines – Motorcycle owners have one more week to install physical barriers approved by the government to allow riding in tandem.

The National Task Force against COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) approved the recommendation of the Joint Task Force COVID Shield extending the deadline from July 19 to July 26 for motorcycle riders to comply with the directive to install barriers to separate the driver from the passenger.

PNP deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said extending the grace period will give motorists enough time to install the barriers, which authorities required as a safety precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“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,” he said.

It means policemen will just warn and not apprehend couples riding motorcycles without the approved prototype barriers that were designed by the Bohol provincial government and motorcycle ride-hailing company Angkas.

The government allowed couples to ride motorcycles because of the lack of public transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also included are live-in partners and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, provided they are living under one roof.

Eleazar urged motorcycle riders to take advantage of the deadline extension to install the barriers and avoid getting cited for violating health and safety guidelines.

“We hope that the two-week 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 drivers and the riders,” he said.

Eleazar clarified the grace period will not apply to motorists who will commit other violations such as not wearing face masks and helmets.