Riders living in the same house no longer need motorcycle barrier in areas under GCQ- JTF

Starting on Wednesday, August 19, motorcycle barriers are no longer needed authorities said. However, this will only apply to riders living in the same house in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ).

Photo credit: preen.ph

The Joint Task Force COVID Shield said on Tuesday that the national task force for COVID-19 approved this along with other measures for protocols in motorcycle backriding.

For areas under GCQ, riders not living in the same house must have an Angkas designed barrier.

The backrider must be an authorized person outside of residence, but the driver may not be. Moreover, both the rider and the driver should wear their face masks and full-face helmets.

Motorcycle to be used should be privately owned, JTF said.

However, for areas under the modified general community quarantine, local government units have the option to implement the said guidelines depending on the situation in their areas.

President Rodrigo Duterte announced on Monday that Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal will be back to the more relaxed GCQ starting Wednesday until August 31.

These five areas were reverted back to modified enhanced community quarantine in the first two weeks of August due to the surge of COVID-19 cases and the plea of doctors and nurses for a timeout.

Here are some of the latest protocols:

Under GCQ:

• For riders living in the same house: no need for motorcycle barrier
• For riders not living in the same house: must have Angkas designed barrier
• The backrider must be an APOR
• The driver may or may not be an APOR
• Motorcycle must be privately owned and not for hire
• Both riders should have face masks and full-face helmets that must be worn all the time while back riding.

Under MGCQ:

• Local Chief Executives (LCE) have the discretion to adapt and/or implement the above guidelines according to the needs of their local situation.