Motorcycle back-riding in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) is permitted if the passenger is an essential worker, said Joint Task Force COVID Shield commander Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar, Tuesday.
Eleazar explained in an interview on Unang Hirit explained the national task force allowed back-riding among authorized persons outside of residence (APOR) or essential workers since the public transportation is suspended under MECQ.
The Joint Task Force commander, however, noted that the travel should always be work-related.
“Kagabi po nagkaroon ng pagpupulong ang national task force at ako po ay naimbitahan doon kasama ang mga city mayors at nagbigay po ng guideline ang NTF through Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Secretary Eduardo Año na papayagan na po under MECQ ‘yun pong back-riding dahil nga suspended ang public transport only dito po sa mga, kung ang backride natin or itong ating pasahero o tinatawag nating angkas is an essential worker o APOR,” Eleazar said.
(Last night the national task force had a meeting, and I was invited there with the city mayors, and the NTF gave a guideline through Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and Secretary Eduardo Año that back-riding will be allowed under MECQ since public transport is suspended provided the backride, or the passenger is an essential worker or APOR.)
Eleazar reiterated that riders should still use safety barriers. He added the passenger, and the driver do not need to be married or living in the same address.
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“Ngayon siyempre andoon pa rin ‘yung barrier na required doon at saka pati ‘yung motorsiklo ay dapat po ay privately-owned, hindi siya for hire. ‘Yung travel na ‘yun dapat hindi siya inupahan,” Eleazar said.
He also said the driver transporting the essential worker does not need to be an APOR.
“Regardless kung APOR o di APOR ang maghahatid sa kaniya, puwede na rin po ‘yun. Icoconsider na rin po ‘yun,” he said.
Meanwhile, areas under general community quarantine would observe the same policy wherein only married couples and partners living together are allowed for back-riding provided there is a barrier installed.