Back-riding allowed for couples starting July 10

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced that back-riding of married couples and partners would be allowed on Friday, July 10.

Photo credit: gmanews.com

Previously, the DILG has received dissaproval from citizens because of banning back-riding. DILG has banned this due to fears of further spreading the virus between the driver and the backrider. But today, it was annouced by Interior Secretary Eduardo Año that back-riding is now allowed.

“Simula bukas, papayagan na natin yung backriding sa mga couple at yung prototype model na sinumbmit ni (Bohol) Gov. Arthur Yap, approved na yan ng National Task Force at ito yung prototype na gagamitin natin,” (Starting tomorrow, we will allow motorcycle back-riding for couples and the prototype model that was submitted by Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap, that was approved by the NTF and this is the prototype that we will be using.) said Año in a Teleradyo interview.

The approved design from Yap shows that there is a barrier between the rider and passenger.

Año said there will be a barrier between the rider and the passenger. Also, the passenger will have its own handle and the barrier is long enough for drool droplets to be covered. Wearing of face mask is also a must. He urged those who have proposed designs on back-riding barriers on motorcycles to submit to concerned agencies.

Photo credit: gmanews.com

Año said that those allowed are couple living in one household and may present identification cards (IDs) as proof.

"Whether they are married or common-law husband and wife, boyfriend or girlfriend but they are living in the same household," he said.

Motorcycles have been seen as another mode of transportation for commuters during the limited number of public transport vehicles.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque previously announced that the government will soon allow back-riding with guidelines drafted by the National Task Force (NTF) against coronavirus disease 2019 or Covid-19.