Back-riding for essential workers now allowed under MECQ

MANILA, Philippines — Pillion riding or back-riding on motorcycles is now allowed for essential workers or authorized persons outside of residence (APOR) in modified enhanced community quarantine areas (MECQ), police said Tuesday.

“Itong MECQ nga ay suspended ang public transport, pinapayagan na po ang backriding sa MECQ, provided na yung angkas o backride ay essential worker or APOR at yung travel niya is work-related regardless na nag-da-drive sa kanya is kamaganak niya whether ‘yun ay APOR o Non-APOR,” Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, chief of Joint Task Force COVID Shield, said over ABS-CBN Teleradyo when asked about guidelines for MECQ areas.

(For the MECQ, since public transport is suspended, we are allowing backriding for MECQ, provided that backriding in MECQ, provided that the backride carries essential worker or APOR and their travel is work-related regardless if their driver is a relative, APOR or Non- APOR.)

Eleazar, however, required motorcycle owners carrying essential workers to put up protective barriers while riding pillion.

“Idadagdag ko po na ito pong dapat pa rin mayroong prescribed barriers at yung motorsiklo,” he said.

(Just to add, motorcycles should have the prescribed barriers.)

In a separate statement, Eleazar said individuals who will avail essential goods and other services will not be allowed for pillion riding.

Eleazar added that motorcycles used for pillion rides must be “privately-owned” and “not for hire.”

The police official also reminded that motorcycle riders and passengers must present identification cards and other documents to law enforcers to prove that they are essential workers and authorized persons.

The government placed Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, and Bulacan under a stricter MECQ from August 4 to August 18 following the request of medical workers for a “time out” due to the continued surge of COVID-19 cases.

EDV