PH allows back-riding for couples

PH government announced on Thursday, July 9, about allowing the back-riding on motorcycles amid Community Quarantine.

Couples may now travel on the same motorcycle beginning Friday as government allowed back-riding, so long as a protective shield in between the rider and the passenger is mounted.

But while officials agree that married couples are among those allowed in the new policy that will be implemented nationwide in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ, they issued conflicting statements as regards non-married partners.

Secretary Eduardo Año of the Department of the Interior and Local Government said motorcycle backriding is only allowed for couples, regardless of whether they are married or living together.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, on the hand, said the policy is only for married couples.

“Living in the same household, whether they are married, or they are common-law husband and wife or boyfriend and girlfriend but they are living in the same household,” Año said.

During random checks, couples may show their IDs as proof that they bear the same surname or address. He said there are so many ways to prove that couples live in the same household.

But in a Palace press briefing, Roque said, "Itong back-riding po ay para lamang sa mga mag-asawa."

Other than an ID card, the motorcycle-riding couple may also show a copy of their marriage certificate, said Roque.

Both passenger and the rider should still wear face masks and helmets.

“Meron naman tayong National IATF guidelines. Pag ‘di sila sumunod d'yan, violation ng EO 112 at marami pang kaukulang kaso pwedeng i-apply dyan,” Año said.

Klook.com