The government is making it clear: Under no circumstances can motorcyclists carry passengers while an area is under general community quarantine (GCQ).
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año stressed during a Malacañang press briefing held earlier today that backriders are not and will not be allowed under GCQ, as this will pose a threat not just to riders, but to everyone they come into contact with as well.
“Ang ating angkas, ang ating panuntunan diyan ay bawal pa rin sapagkat ito ay malaking violation sa ating health protocols,” Año said.
“Unang una, i-explain ko lang kung and mag asawa ay papasok at naka angkas, pagdating sa opisina ay mahahawa ang lalake, at pag uwi niya naka angkas yung babae naman mahahawa. Ang susunod naman na mahahawa ay yung opisina nung babae. Habang meron pa pong virus, hindi po tayo pwede magsugal diyan. Hangang saan ay dumating tayo sa new normal, wala na tayong virus, at wala nang positive cases, ay babalik din naman po tayo diyan.”
Instead of ferrying a backrider, the official suggested that motorcycle owners should just install a sidecar. With this, Año said, motorcyclists will be able to carry passengers while complying with GCQ guidelines.
“Konting pasensya lang. Paano natin ma-sosolve ang itong angkas ay, dahil halimbawa, mag asawa nga sila. Unti unti po ay gumagawa tayo ng bicycle lane, gagawa tayo ng tricycle lane, at lagyan na lang po ng sidecar yung motor at pwede niya isama yung kanyang misis,” Año said, explaining that, in the meantime, this is the only solution.
“Pag wala na po [virus], babalik na tayo sa dati at pwede na sila mag angkas.”
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