IATF considering face shield proposal for motorcycle backriders

MANILA, Philippines — A team working to find solutions to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis has yet to issue guidelines that would allow motorcycle backriders, about three weeks since it had been supposedly approved in principle by the body.

According to presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr., the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) is considering the recommendation of Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap on the use of face shields for motorcycle riders and their backriders, once they are allowed even under strict community quarantine.

“The IATF has approved that in principle, but the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 need to provide the guidelines,” he said.
Yap has provided a recommendation on the design of the shields that will separate the motorcycle driver and his rider. This way, both individuals will have less physical contact to prevent possible infection of COVID-19.

“The final guidelines will be provided by the NTF and the DOTr. But in principle, as long as there is the shield designed by Gov. Yap, there is no objection, but the guidelines are still being finalized,” Roque said.