As the novel coronavirus pandemic
continues to sweep across the world and rack up alarming numbers of new
confirmed cases day by day, private, national and international health agencies
have given so many tips and protocols for keeping oneself safe from being
infected by COVID-19 that they might make the head spin. From the overall
general guideline of physical distancing between persons to reduce the chance infection,
there have been a multitude of specific regulations enacted such as the prohibition
of motorcycle riders from allowing passengers to pillion, or “back” ride. But
as quarantine levels continue to de-escalate in the Philippines, such strict restrictions
also have started being pulled back.
Inquirer.net has it that the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging
Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) has decided that tandem riding for motorcycles
will once again be allowed for riders this coming weekend. On Thursday, July 9,
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año
announced the return of back-riding for motorcycle owners, but with the
continued maintenance of other health protocols in mind. Furthermore, Año
specifies that only couples will be allowed to do pillion riding and thus must
carry identification to confirm their relation.
The Interior Secretary – who is Vice-Chairman
of the IATF – also made mention of a “prototype model” safety protocol for
motorcycles in Bohol that was submitted by provincial Governor Arthur Yap. Said
model employs the installation of a transparent divider between the motorcycle rider
seat and the cushion for rear passenger. The divider, which apparently can sit
balanced on the vehicle, also includes handlebars for the back-ride to hold
onto, in place of the rider himself. The National Task Force (NTF) has signed
off on the proposed motorcycle division prototype, though there has been no
word on when it might be implemented on a wider scale.
Even if this motorcycle divider
is adopted for general use, the rider and passenger are still obliged to follow
all other standing health protocols, wearing both a facemask and motorcycle
crash helmet. To be considered a couple, the rider and passenger must either be
married or, in the case of living-in, must prove via ID that they share the
same address. The announcement of the return of back-riding for motorcycles
effective July 10 proves true the earlier pronouncement by Presidential
Spokesperson Harry Roque about new guidelines drafted to allow this
transportation arrangement again amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and
quarantines.
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