Police extend deadline for motorcycle barriers until July 31

BARRIER PROBLEMS A couple rides a motorcycle equipped with a handheld makeshift barrier in accordance with regulations, which officials said would prevent them from infecting each other with the coronavirus. — MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — The Joint Task Force (JTF) COVID Shield have extended until July 31 the deadline for motorcycle owners to install protective dividers for their pillion riders.

“In effect, motorcycle riders were given a three-weeks grace period to comply with this requirement. This will be the most that the government, through our NTF (National Task Force) Against COVID-19, could give for our motorcycle riders to comply in order for them to be allowed to back-ride their spouses or live-in partners,” Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, JTF COVID Shield chief, said in a statement Friday.

This means law enforcers will start apprehending motorcycle riders carrying passengers without protective barriers on August 1.

This is the second extension for the installation of barriers for pillion rides as the government first set the deadline last July 19 then it was extended until July 26.

The government has so far approved two prototypes of motorcycle barriers.

The first is Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap’s prototype which uses a plastic barrier with a steel frame that divides the rider and passenger.

The second prototype is from Angkas that constructed a barrier similar to a backpack which will be worn by the motorcycle driver.

The government’s task force against COVID-19 allowed last July 10 pillion rides but only for those living under one roof.

EDV