Government to enforce motorbike barrier rule today

MANILA, Philippines — Police will start apprehending today motorcycle owners who are traveling with back-riders but without the installed physical barriers approved by the National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19.

Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, Philippine National Police deputy chief for operations, instructed Highway Patrol Group personnel to start issuing citation tickets to motorcycle riders who are caught violating the government’s directive to have physical barriers between them and their passengers.

“For more than three weeks, we were just warning and advising the violators to comply until July 31. As the grace period ends… we expect that all motorcycle riders have already complied in order for them to avoid inconvenience as they go to work and ride back home,” he said in a statement yesterday.

The government has approved barrier designs of the Bohol provincial government and motorcycle ride-hailing company Angkas to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Eleazar said violators face fines ranging from P1,000 to P10,000, depending on the number of their offenses.

The government has allowed couples to use motorcycles because of the lack of public transportation, provided they will install the barriers.

Also included are live-in partners and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, provided they are living under one roof.

During the three-week grace period, Eleazar said a total of 29,444 motorcycle riders were accosted for back-riding people other than their spouses or partners.

Aside from the physical barriers, motorcycle drivers and passengers must also wear face masks and helmets at all times.

Couples must also present identification cards and other documents as proof they are living under one roof. Those found violating this provision will face a fine of P1,000 for the first offense.