Philippines allows motorcycle back-riding for essential workers under MECQ

MANILA (UPDATE)- The Philippine government is allowing motorcycle pillion riding or back-riding in Metro Manila and other areas under the modified enhanced community quarantine, under several conditions.

Speaking to ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo, Joint Task Force Covid Shield commander Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said officials agreed that motorcycle pillion riding should be allowed for frontliners, essential workers and authorized persons outside of residence (APOR).

"Dahil suspended ang public transport, pinapayagan na ang backriding sa [modified enhanced community quarantine] provided na ang angkas o backride ay essential worker or APOR at ang travel niya is work-related regardless kung ang driver is kamag-anak niya, whether APOR o non-APOR," he said.

According to a National Police Commision memorandum, issued August 3, motorcycle pillion riding or back-riding is allowed under the following conditions:

- The backrider/passenger is an authorized person outside of residence and the travel is work-related, even if he/she is not related to the driver

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

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

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said that the operation of tricycles is subject to the guidelines of the local government units.

“The LGU may also allow quarantine pass holders to ride in tricycles in going out to buy food or access essential services provided that there is only 1 passenger and that regular disinfection of the passenger seat is done by the driver,” he said.

Metro Manila and the surrounding provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Bulacan have been placed under MECQ until Aug. 18 due to the rising number of coronavirus cases in the country.

• 27-M Filipinos return to stricter lockdown as virus cases soar

For the next 2 weeks, public transport will be halted and domestic flights grounded to try and slow the spread of the virus, which has killed more than 2,000 people in the country.

People have been ordered to stay home unless they need to buy essential goods or exercise outdoors.

Only a limited number of businesses will be allowed to operate and restaurants will be permitted to do take-aways only.