Authorized motorcycle riders need to install safety barriers by July 19

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MARRIED couples and live-in partners who use motorcycles as their mode of transport have until July 19 to comply with two back-riding safety designs approved by the Joint Task Force COVID Shield.

The approved designs are the prototype model of the Bohol provincial government where the barrier is attached to the motorcycle and the Angkas barrier, weighing more or less a kilo, is attached to the back of the driver.

According to Angkas chief transport advocate Geroge Royeca, the thin durable plastic sheet can survive massive force without shattering and shaking.

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The National Task Force Against COVID-19 led by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana approved the recommendation of JTF COVID Shield Commander Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar to give motorcycle riders until July 19, Sunday, to comply with the two approved designs or face arrest.

“As per Secretary of the Interior and Local Government and NTF Against COVID-19 Vice Chairman Eduardo Año, we will continue monitoring and warning those without barrier while citing or apprehending those with other violations,” said Eleazar.

Eleazar said he has coordinated with the PNP chief Archie Gamboa to task those supervising and manning quarantine control points to disseminate the information about the grace period and its full implementation on July 20.

Eleazar urged all motorcycle riders to strictly follow the approved designs of the barriers and the rules on back-riding.

“The set of rules for motorcycle back-riding is a balance between safety and the necessity of transportation. Our motorists have long requested for this and now that it was finally granted, please do not abuse it,” Eleazar said.

Back-riding was first allowed on July 10 due to the public clamor over the limited capacity of public transportation. Back-riding was also given a go-signal by Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and concurrent Chief Implementer of the government’s policy on COVID-19.

Meanwhile, there was a marked decrease in the number of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-

3) passengers when it resumed operations last Monday, according to MRT-3 director for operations Michael Capati.

He said that from an average daily ridership last month of 45,048 passengers, 40,008 commuters used the trains last Monday.

The MRT-3 Bus Augmentation served 9,984 passengers on Monday, much higher compared to the 5,675 average number passengers from June 3-6. There were reports that more commuters opted to use the MRT-3 buses due to fears of contracting the virus on the MRT-3 trains.

MTR-3 management imposed a temporary shutdown of its operations after 281 of its station personnel and maintenance employees tested positive for COVID-19 last week.

Capati assured the riding public that MRT-3 trains and its facilities are safe, adding management has improved safety measures, including disinfecting trains thrice a week. — With Noel Talacay

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